Volkswagen and OpenAI: Testing Generative AI with In-car Voice Assistants and the GPT Store (Invited Talk at Mercedes-Benz)

VW is the only one who is going for the worthiness of this vehicle even though others are testing it. Despite being one of the biggest automakers in the world, VW had a rough 2023, including disappointing sales growth, software malfunctions, and layoffs. The company is clearly looking for some kind of boost, and jumping on the AI hype-train seems designed to give it some kind of sheen of tech inventiveness.

Generative AI could make these queries more natural and less prone to false positives — theoretically. ChatGPT and other large-language model (LLM) chatbots have been known to serve up false information and OpenAI is being targeted in a number of defamation and copyright infringement lawsuits. Mercedes won’t say which company it is working with to update its voice assistant.

Mercedes-Benz is supercharging its in-car voice assistant with generative AI, paving the way for more natural interactions and personalized driver experiences.

Last year, OpenAI said it would be releasing a platform for making custom versions of the game. The company’s GPT Store will be the place where the GPTs will be accessible.

Mercedes-Benz MB.OS Systems and AI: Personality, Conversational Q&A, and Video Streaming and Surround Navigation

In addition, Mercedes is adding more videoconferencing and streaming options to its cars, including Microsoft Teams and Sony Pictures Ridevu. There is a new feature called Surround navigation that shows you situational awareness using 3D graphics on the insturment display.

The voice assistant’s speech will rely on an LLM for natural dialogue and answers to customer questions. There are four characteristics of personality: natural, predictive, personal, and empathetic. The company says that it’s more like a conversation with a friend. The assistant can ask intelligent questions to clarify intent and draw conclusions.

Among its many suppliers, Mercedes relies on Nvidia for its water-cooled chips to power its MB.OS system. The San Jose-based company is developing systems-on-a-chip for a number of car clients, including advanced driver assist and in-car graphics.

Mercedes-Benz spokesperson Cathleen Decker declined to name the specific company that was supplying its generative AI technology. She said that the company works with a range of technology partners to develop and implement latest advancements in artificial intelligence and natural language processing. The MBUX system remains at the forefront of automotive technology, and Mercedes-Benz is working with the best partners in the industry to ensure that.

Source: Mercedes-Benz’s [best-in-class](https://tech.occupytheory.org/2023/12/13/the-autopilot-problem-will-be-addressed-with-an-update-for-every-car-sold-in-the-us/) voice assistant is getting an AI boost

Keeping the Road Away: A Guided Route Analysis for Pedestrians in a Crowded Traffic Combined with High-Tech Fixes

Distractions are high in the car. Rather than limit the amount of technology that’s included in cars, more high tech fixes are being used to encourage drivers to stay focused on the road.

For instance, it shows the type of traffic, be it another car, van, truck or even a cyclist. It shows pedestrians close to the road. Guidance route is superimposed into a realistic representation of surroundings, which is particularly helpful in busy urban environments.