DS Automobiles has zoomed into the future by being the first carmaker globally to make ChatGPT a standard feature in its models equipped with the DS Iris System. This innovative step follows the roaring success of a pilot program in five major European countries, where ChatGPT was introduced in autumn 2023.
Since October 2023, DS Automobiles has been test-driving the integration of ChatGPT into its DS Iris System infotainment system, and the results have been nothing short of spectacular. The pilot phase proved that generative AI, when combined with DS’s speech recognition, could be more than just a fancy gadget – it became an interactive travel buddy.
The success was so overwhelming, with a more than 50% increase in the usage of speech recognition, that DS Automobiles decided to make ChatGPT a standard feature. Starting from March, the DS 3, DS 4, DS 7, and DS 9 models, all boasting the DS Iris System, will come with ChatGPT included. This feature will be available in eighteen countries and support thirteen languages, wherever standard speech recognition is already in place.
The countries getting this chatty upgrade include Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, France (including its overseas territories), Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Drivers and passengers can now chat away with their DS Iris System, asking all sorts of questions like, “What’s a cool spot to visit nearby?” or “What’s a good activity for me and my kiddo at this castle?” They can even get culinary advice or request a tailor-made tale – all while keeping their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
But wait, there’s more! This chatty feature is part of the Connect Plus Pack, which also includes a suite of connected services like Navigation, Remote Controls, a Connected Alarm, and even an EV Trip Planner, depending on the model. This pack is standard for three years on all DS Automobiles models.
Olivier François, the Head of DS Automobiles, and Yves Bonnefont, Chief Software Officer of Stellantis, are both revved up about this integration. They see it as a pioneering move in the automotive world, transforming every journey into a unique experience with the help of fluid, intuitive, and immersive generative AI.
The pilot phase, which started in October 2023 in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK, marked the beginning of this world-first integration by an automobile manufacturer. Operated through the ChatGPT API by SoundHound AI, this function is set to redefine the travel experience, making DS Automobiles not just a carmaker but a conversation starter on wheels.
