You Can Communicate With BMW’s New SUV As If It Were a Person, and It Will Truly Understand You | Carscoops

      BMW’s iX3 introduces an Alexa-powered AI voice assistant.

      The new AI allows drivers to speak naturally without needing specific commands.

      Follow-up questions and a variety of general topics are now supported.

      Regardless of your opinion, modern vehicles are no longer merely tools for transportation; they've evolved into sophisticated platforms filled with technology, smarter and more interconnected than ever. This year, BMW is embracing this change with a major launch—an AI assistant utilizing Amazon’s Alexa+ framework, which will make its debut in the new iX3.

      BMW has announced that the second-generation iX3 will include an upgraded version of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. This new system is expected to arrive in both Germany and the US later this year, aiming to transform the iX3 into what the company refers to as “an intelligent companion” while driving.

      How Will It Operate in Everyday Use?

      In-car voice assistants are not a new concept, but BMW’s revamped system is particularly fascinating. Users will no longer be confined to using specific voice commands; instead, they can connect requests and inquiries in a manner similar to normal human conversations.

      Moreover, users can seamlessly ask follow-up questions regarding the vehicle’s features as well as various general knowledge subjects.

      This new functionality is powered by a generative AI model that understands and replies using its unique language framework. The system will be showcased at this month's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), allowing early attendees to experience it prior to its broader release later this year.

      Integration with Amazon and Increased Access

      BMW has also enabled connectivity with users’ Amazon accounts, which expands the range of content and services available, such as streaming music and receiving live news updates directly through the car’s voice interface.

      “Our collaboration with Amazon stems from a mutual aspiration for technological excellence,” stated Stephan Durach, senior vice president of development for Digital Services at BMW Group.

      “This collaboration has produced a product that redefines the naturalness of interaction between humans and vehicles through artificial intelligence. With the incorporation of Amazon’s Alexa+ technology into the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, the vehicle evolves into an intelligent companion for its users.”