Detroit’s General Motors Co. is bringing Amazon’s Alexa to its model year 2018 and newer vehicles starting in the first half of 2020. Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac owners will have the ability to add Alexa through embedded available 4G LTE connectivity and GM’s app framework.
The Alexa voice in GM vehicles uses the Alexa Auto Software Development Kit, which gives customers access to standard Alexa skills and capabilities. It will also allow GM to create custom skills that are relevant to vehicles. The collaboration is the broadest rollout of an embedded Alexa Auto experience to date.
“GM’s updateable app framework and vehicle connectivity lets us provide customers with new technologies that enhance the ownership experience, even to customers with vehicles that are already on the road,” says Santiago Chamorro, vice president for global connected services at GM. “Bringing the Alexa experience to our vehicles is an example of how we are listening to our customers’ feedback and offering them the voice technology of their choice.”
Using voice commands, drivers can ask Alexa to check the news, control smart home devices such as lights or thermostats, add items to shopping cards, and access tens of thousands of other Alexa skills. GM is also delivering expanded categories of Alexa features that are most often used in cars.
Alexa will be able to get directions to addresses and locations and will also be able to play songs, artists, genres, stations, audiobooks, and podcasts on command using streaming services. When drivers pair their phones with Bluetooth and share their contacts with Amazon, they can also ask Alexa to call people.
“Customers already love using Alexa at home, and soon they can bring her with them on the go, whether they’re looking for a new car or own a compatible Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, or Cadillac vehicle already on the road,” says Ned Curic, vice president of Alexa Auto at Amazon. “We’re thrilled to be working with GM to help their customers stay more connected, more entertained, and more productive.”
The integration is the latest collaboration between GM and Amazon. In 2018, GM launched in-car delivery with Key by Amazon and a series of connected car skills for Alexa, available on eligible Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles in select cities.
