Hyundai Set to Reveal Revolutionary Voice-Activated In-Car Assistant at CES
Hyundai Motor is set to introduce a voice-activated personal assistant for cars at January’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. This smart assistant, co-developed with SoundHound, a Silicon Valley company known for its voice-enabled AI technology, will be available in Hyundai vehicles starting in 2019.
This virtual assistant lets drivers use voice commands to perform various tasks and access real-time information. It acts as a proactive helper by anticipating needs and providing timely reminders. For example, it might alert you about an upcoming meeting and suggest when to leave based on current traffic.
In addition to these personal features, the assistant can make phone calls, send texts, find destinations, play music, check the weather, and manage schedules. It also allows voice control over frequently used car functions like air conditioning, sunroofs, and door locks. Plus, it supports a car-to-home service, letting you use voice commands to control home electronics from your car.
Paul Choo, Hyundai’s infotainment development director, emphasized that sophisticated voice recognition and AI integration are crucial for delivering the wealth of content and data that future connected cars will offer.
One standout feature is its ability to recognize multiple commands at once. So if you say, “Tell me the weather for tomorrow and turn off the living room lights,” it will handle both tasks separately.
Powered by SoundHound’s Houndify AI platform, the system communicates with SoundHound’s servers to fetch requested information or complete tasks. Keyvan Mohajer, SoundHound’s CEO, expressed excitement about partnering with Hyundai to transform the in-car experience.
The assistant will be showcased at CES 2018 in a connected car cockpit, activated by saying, “Hi, Hyundai.” Following CES, a simplified version will be tested on next-generation fuel cell electric vehicles in Korea, capable of providing sports event information.
Initially, the assistant will understand English, with plans to support additional languages in the future. Hyundai’s collaborative relationship with SoundHound goes back to 2012, demonstrating a history of integrating innovative technology in their vehicles.
