BMW's voice assistant demo at CES 2024

Science & Technology

Introduction

At CES 2024, BMW showcased an innovative voice assistant that utilizes the capabilities of large language models to provide an intuitive interaction with drivers regarding their vehicle's features. As cars become increasingly complex with a multitude of onboard features—ranging from seat heaters to traction control modes—navigating through their functionalities can be a daunting task for drivers. While voice assistants have improved accessibility, they often require specific commands, leaving users frustrated if they don’t know precisely what to ask.

Interactive Demonstration

Inside the booth, attendees received a live demonstration of the new system. Upon initiating a conversation with the assistant, users are greeted with a friendly, "Hello, BMW. I have a question about my car." The assistant promptly responds, offering insights on various interesting car features.

For instance, the assistant highlights the BMW curved display and augmented view, which incorporates live video with navigation information, creating an enriched driving experience. Additionally, it outlines various driving modes available in the vehicle, such as personal, sport, efficient, expressive, aggressive, relax, and digital art mode. When prompted for a recommendation for a drive down Las Vegas Boulevard, the assistant suggests the expressive mode, which enhances the engine sound and provides a sporty driving experience.

When inquiring about the parking assistant, the voice assistant explains that it can autonomously park and unpark the vehicle in various parking spaces and includes helpful features like a reversing camera and active park distance control.

Simplified Communication

The voice assistant's design aims to be accessible, allowing it to break down complex features into simple explanations. For example, when explaining the efficient mode, the assistant likens it to playing a game with minimal pieces to achieve victory, highlighting its fuel efficiency benefits for both the environment and the driver's wallet.

Moreover, the assistant can create whimsical responses, such as composing a limerick about the features, showcasing its ability to engage users creatively. This functionality not only makes the interaction fun but also demonstrates the potential of large language models to understand and respond in a more human-like manner.

The development team behind the assistant is committed to ensuring accurate information is provided, minimizing the risk of "hallucinations" common in other AI systems. Only verified data related to the car's features is fed to the model to ensure reliability. In the future, BMW plans to expand this functionality to incorporate navigation and weather services, although it is currently focused on the vehicle's internal features.

Future Prospects

The new voice assistant will be rolled out as an over-the-air update in 2024 for any car equipped with the BMW Operating System version 9, providing a free upgrade for those vehicles. This advancement promises to enhance the user experience significantly and makes engaging with one's car easier than ever before.

As the automotive industry continues to evolve, BMW’s innovative system seeks to bridge the gap between complex vehicle functionality and user-friendly interaction, ensuring that drivers can easily access the features they need.

Keywords

  • BMW
  • CES 2024
  • voice assistant
  • large language models
  • driving modes
  • augmented view
  • parking assistant
  • efficient mode
  • user experience
  • over-the-air update

FAQ

Q: What is the main feature of BMW's new voice assistant showcased at CES 2024?
A: The voice assistant utilizes large language models to provide intuitive and natural interactions about the car's features, making it easier for drivers to access information without needing specific commands.

Q: What functionalities can the voice assistant provide?
A: The assistant can explain various car features, recommend driving modes based on query, describe parking functionalities, and even engage in creative expressions like composing limericks about the car.

Q: How does BMW ensure the accuracy of the information provided by the voice assistant?
A: BMW feeds only verified data related to the car's features into the assistant, reducing the likelihood of errors or incorrect responses.

Q: When will the new voice assistant be available for BMW vehicles?
A: The voice assistant is expected to be available as an over-the-air update in 2024 for any car running the BMW Operating System version 9.