Mercedes-Benz is making its voice control system in vehicles even smarter by incorporating artificial intelligence. They will be using ChatGPT, a language model, to enhance the Hey Mercedes feature in their MBUX Voice Assistant. Starting from June 16, 2023, a beta program will be available for over 900,000 vehicles in the U.S. that have the MBUX infotainment system.
Customers can join the beta program through the Mercedes me app or by using a voice command in their vehicle. By saying “Hey Mercedes, I want to join the beta program,” they can enroll. The beta program will be rolled out over the air, meaning customers will receive updates remotely.
Mercedes-Benz is integrating ChatGPT through Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Service, utilizing the advanced capabilities of Microsoft’s cloud and AI platform. This integration improves the voice control capabilities of Hey Mercedes. Unlike other voice assistants that are limited to specific tasks, ChatGPT expands the range of topics it can respond to and improves natural language understanding.
Mercedes-Benz combines the strengths of both systems by combining the validated data of the MBUX Voice Assistant with the more conversational format of ChatGPT. This means users can have a voice assistant that not only understands natural voice commands but also engages in meaningful conversations. They can ask for details about their destination, seek recipe suggestions, or get comprehensive answers to complex questions, all while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
