GM To Bring Amazon Alexa Integration To Millions Of Vehicles
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GM vehicle owners will receive a number of new infotainment features next year as the automaker looks to add Amazon Alexa across the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac brands. The system will be available on 2018 model year and newer cars, trucks and crossovers with compatible infotainment systems. The upgrade is slated to arrive in the first half of the 2020 calendar year, and will utilize available 4G LTE connectivity.
GM Authority was first to report on the upcoming Amazon Alexa integration back in May, at which time we exclusively learned that the Buick Encore GX would offer the virtual assistant feature.
Now, it appears as though Amazon Alexa will be integrated retroactively as well.
“GM research shows that many customers prefer to use the same voice services they use in their home in their vehicles,” reads a recent GM press release. “The Alexa voice experience in GM vehicles leverages the Alexa Auto Software Development Kit, which gives customers access to standard Alexa skills and capabilities.”
GM says the program will also enable the creation of custom Alexa skills “that are relevant to the customer’s vehicle” sometime in the future.
For those who may be unaware, Amazon Alexa enables a variety of voice-activated commands, providing hands-free access to numerous infotainment features. This includes interconnected features like checking the news, control over smart home-connected devices like lights or thermostats, and adding items to a shopping list. In addition, the system will support automotive-centric features like navigation control, media selection, and hands-free calling.
GM will release additional information on how customers can integrate the new Amazon Alexa features in their cars closer to the feature launch next year.
Amazon in-car delivery was announced last year
The addition of Amazon Alexa is the latest in a series of tie-ins between GM and Amazon. Last year, GM launched in-car delivery with Amazon Key technology.
All told, it’s nice to see GM getting in on the personal digital assistant bandwagon. While not all customers will leverage the new features, it certainly doesn’t hurt to offer them, especially in a retroactive fashion.
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Sooo Amazon Alexa and OK Google will coexist in GM cars in the future?
Just what we need, another eavesdropping distraction while driving. Alexa- why are we driving down a dirt road? Alexa – why can’t I open my door? Alexa why are we speeding up towards that lake? Yikes
Instead of HAL, we now have Alexa! Arthur C. Clarke would be very happy!
And what I predict will be one the most repeated queries: “Alexa, how do I fix my CUE touch screen?”
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I love that GMC is bringing Alexa innovation to my new 2020 vehicle. I am personally a big fan of hands free voice assistant devices and I currently have the Alexa Dot in my GMC truck. Alexa communicates with my home lights so I don’t ever have to walk into my unlit house at night. She tells me that the garage door is open or closed. She tells me the temperature of my house when I’m away. From a hands-free perspective she helps me in many ways. As far as the fear of them “listening in”, let’s face it folks, most of us are just not that interesting. The data that’s collected must present value. Beside, why would anybody bother to listen in on voice assistant devices when your phone is the best listening device ever made, and you take it everywhere you go and is incredibly vulnerable to hackers. Like the article says, if you don’t like it, don’t use it. But it’s nice to have the option.