Las Vegas / Wolfsburg, January 8, 2024 – Volkswagen has taken a significant leap in automotive technology by introducing ChatGPT integration in its vehicles, a first for a volume manufacturer. The announcement was made at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 in Las Vegas. This integration is a collaboration with technology partner Cerence, leveraging their Cerence Chat Pro platform.
The feature will be available in current MEB and MQB evo models of the VW Group brands equipped with the IDA voice assistant, marking a new era in vehicle intelligence and user interaction. Volkswagen aims to provide this feature as a standard from the second quarter of 2024 in several production vehicles, initially considering the United States market.
The integration covers popular models such as ID.7, ID.4, ID.5, ID.3, the new Tiguan, Passat, and Golf. Enabled by Cerence Chat Pro, this integration enhances the capabilities of the Volkswagen voice assistant, IDA, allowing it to manage infotainment, navigation, air conditioning, and answer general knowledge questions using the expansive database of ChatGPT.
An important aspect of this integration is the protection of personal data. Volkswagen assures that ChatGPT will not access vehicle information, and questions and answers are immediately deleted to maintain data privacy. This commitment to security and privacy is a core element of the Volkswagen-Cerence partnership.
Kai Grünitz, Member of the Board of Management Volkswagen Brand for Technical Development, emphasized Volkswagen’s commitment to democratizing technology and making it accessible to a broad audience. He highlighted that the integration of ChatGPT showcases Volkswagen’s innovative strength.
Stefan Ortmanns, CEO of Cerence, expressed pride in extending their partnership with Volkswagen to bring this innovative technology to customers. He noted that Cerence Chat Pro provides an automotive-grade ChatGPT integration that prioritizes flexibility, customization, security, and ease of deployment.
This new feature requires no new accounts or apps and can be activated by voice command or a steering wheel button. It seamlessly integrates with Volkswagen’s existing systems, prioritizing driver queries before reaching out to AI for assistance.
With this initiative, Volkswagen continues to lead in the integration of cutting-edge technology in its vehicles, enhancing the driving experience while ensuring the utmost security and privacy for its users.
