Mercedes-Benz Expands Voice Control with ChatGPT Integration

Mercedes-Benz is revolutionising the in-car voice control experience by integrating ChatGPT into its MBUX vehicles, providing U.S. customers with enhanced intuitive voice interactions. This groundbreaking addition to the MBUX Voice Assistant, known as Hey Mercedes, will offer users a more comprehensive and conversational voice control experience. Starting June 16, 2023, a beta program will be available for over 900,000 vehicles equipped with the MBUX infotainment system.

• With the integration of ChatGPT, the voice control experience via Hey Mercedes will be taken to the next level.

• Enrol via the Mercedes Me app or by saying "Hey Mercedes, I want to join the beta program."

• ChatGPT improves natural language understanding and expands response capabilities.

• Participants can engage in conversations, get comprehensive answers, and keep their hands on the wheel.

• Integration through Azure OpenAI Service ensures data privacy and security.

• Users will be able to ask the Voice Assistant for details about their destination, suggest new dinner recipes, or seek answers to complex questions, all while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

• This integration enables Mercedes-Benz to leverage OpenAI's large-scale generative AI models while benefiting from the enterprise-grade security, privacy, and reliability capabilities of Azure.

• Customer voice command data is stored in the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud, where it is anonymised and analysed, ensuring protection against manipulation and misuse.

• The U.S.-focused beta program is expected to last three months, providing valuable insights and the findings will be instrumental in defining the rollout strategy for large language models in more markets and languages.

• The beta program will be available for all vehicles equipped with MBUX in model series A 238, C 118, C 167, C 238, C 253, C 254, C 257, H 247, N 293, R 232, S 213, V 167, V 177, V 295, V 297, W 206, W 213, WV 223, X 167, X 243, X 247, X 253, X 254, X 294, X 296, Z 223, and Z 296.

"The integration of ChatGPT with Microsoft in our controlled cloud environment is a milestone on our way to making our cars the centre of our customers’ digital lives. Our beta programme boosts the existing Hey Mercedes functions such as navigation queries, weather requests and others with the capabilities of ChatGPT. This way, we aim to support conversations with natural dialogues and follow-up questions," said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer, Development & Procurement.