Mercedes-Benz GPTs: A Generative AI Agent for Openai in the In-Car Siri Intensity Playing System

VW is augmenting its IDA in-car voice assistant to enable more naturalistic communication between car and driver. The new voice assistant can be used to answer general knowledge questions, or to control basic functions like heating and air conditioning. User discretion is advised, given the penchant for occasionally making stuff up.

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.

A year ago, Openai said that it would be releasing a platform for making custom versions of the chat game. These AI agents, which OpenAI is calling GPTs, will be accessible through the company’s GPT Store.

Mercedes-Benz MBUX Voice Assistant is Getting an AI Boost: Source: Comments on ‘The Best-in-Class Voice Assistant Is Getting an AI boost’

The assistant can be made to speak in a manner that fits the driver. Want something more empathetic for those days when traffic is making you late? The MBUX assistant can be with you when you need it.

The voice assistant will use an LLM for natural conversation and answers to customer questions. It will have four personality qualities: natural, predictive, personal, and empathy. “The effect is more like a conversation with a friend,” the company claims. The assistant can answer questions based on general knowledge, as well as 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. Features such as advanced driver assist, in-car graphics, and artificial intelligence is possible with the help of the San Jose-based company.

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 number of technology partners to develop and implement the latest developments in artificial intelligence and natural language processing. The MBux system remains at the forefront of automotive technology, and Mercedes-Benz works with the best partners in the industry to make sure it stays that way.

Source: Mercedes-Benz’s best-in-class voice assistant is getting an AI boost

In-car distraction to encourage drivers to stay on the road: A pedagogical approach with an application to traffic detection in a busy urban environment

There is a lot of in-car distraction. But rather than try to limit the amount of technology being crammed into cars, automakers are increasingly turning to more high-tech fixes 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. It superimposes guidance onto a realistic representation of the surroundings in busy urban environments.