Mercedes-Benz and Microsoft have announced a unique collaboration for the implementation of the language model, ChatGPT, into vehicles. The implementation, the first of its kind in the industry, will be tested in over 900,000 vehicles in the United States.
An Optional Beta Program to Kick Off
Beginning Friday, Mercedes-Benz is offering a beta program to its U.S. customers. The sign-up for this initiative is made user-friendly and can be done through Mercedes me, the company’s mobile app, or even directly from the vehicle with the voice command, “Hey Mercedes, I want to join the beta program.”
Enhancing the Capabilities of the ‘Hey Mercedes’ Voice Assistant
The main focus of the AI application will be to process audio requests through the ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice assistant, significantly broadening its capacity. Mercedes-Benz, in a press release, mentioned, “While most voice assistants are limited to predefined tasks and responses, ChatGPT leverages a large language model to greatly improve natural language understanding and expand the topics to which it can respond.”
ChatGPT in the Automotive Industry
The automotive industry, like other sectors, has started recognizing the potential applications of AI technologies like ChatGPT. Mercedes-Benz’s partnership with Microsoft indicates a pioneering effort in utilizing ChatGPT for specific use-cases. Although General Motors has claimed that its autonomous vehicles already employ advanced AI and machine learning, the company is also reportedly exploring possibilities of ChatGPT in its vehicles, as part of its broader alliance with Microsoft, a stakeholder in OpenAI.
Anticipating a Revolutionary Change in Vehicle Voice Command Systems
Eric Boyd, corporate vice president of Microsoft’s AI platform, predicts the integration will revolutionize vehicle voice command systems, facilitating multi-turn conversations, complex queries, and follow-up questions. Boyd, in a blog post, mentioned, “Unlike standard voice assistants that often require specific commands, ChatGPT excels at handling follow-up questions and maintaining contextual understanding. Drivers can ask complex queries or engage in multi-turn conversations, receiving detailed and relevant responses from the voice assistant.”
Future Possibilities for ChatGPT Integration
The outcomes of the three-month beta program, in combination with customer feedback, will be pivotal in deciding further plans for ChatGPT integration, as stated by the companies.