While Google has already declared its support to Qualcomm's automotive SoC, in order to ensure that future vehicles will use digital cockpit solutions powered by their own "Android for Cars" Android Automotive OS (which is an even worse idea than having a Microsoft Windows-powered vehicle), Amazon wants to ensure that at least its voice digital assistant Alexa will run also on those environments. The voice-interface solution will soon be available on the 3rd-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon Automotive Cockpit Platforms as well as the recently announced 4th Generation Qualcomm Snapdragon Automotive Cockpit Platform.
According to Qualcomm, the new digital cabin assistance system is "enhanced with superior, highly-intuitive voice-based capabilities for natural, conversational interactions with driver and passengers." This includes the Alexa Custom Assistant, built on Alexa technology, that can be tailored to each vehicle brand with unique wake words, voices and capabilities.
The solution, which is available to automotive OEMs on a pre-approved basis as an extension module to the Alexa Automotive SDK, provides access to always-improving voice artificial intelligence (AI) technology, including the high-accuracy Alexa wake word engine, spoken language understanding, intent routing, and response orchestration — empowering developers to build, deliver, and maintain a superior voice experience without the hefty investment.
The new system uses the Snapdragon automotive SoCs and Qualcomm's own Voice Assist technologies featuring multichannel echo cancellation noise suppression, allowing for Alexa services to work, even when multiple people are speaking within the car cabin - the system will be able to use voice identification and zonal interference cancellation technology for personal access.
The new functionality, Qualcomm says, can also be made available via Qualcomm Car-to-Cloud services, which features unique software customizatios (Soft SKU) to allow automakers and Tier-1 suppliers to update the new Alexa Custom Assistant solution via over-the-air upgrades. The Qualcomm Car-to-Cloud Service was designed to keep cockpit and telematics systems up-to-date as well as afford the flexibility to unlock features post-deployment, allowing automakers to keep pace with the increasing performance requirements due to new functionality additions, changing technology trends and vehicle maintenance, over the life of the vehicle.
"We created the Alexa Custom Assistant in response to growing demand for bespoke digital experiences that are unique to a brand while leveraging the world-class Alexa technology stack," says Ned Curic, Vice President of Alexa Automotive. "The pre-integration of the Alexa Custom Assistant with Snapdragon Automotive Cockpit Platforms is designed to reduce the cost, complexity and time it takes for automotive OEMs to offer their customers the choice and flexibility of simultaneous intelligent assistants."
"The hallmark of Qualcomm Technologies for the automotive industry is the ability to transform those valued, personalized experiences with smart devices for today’s personal vehicles," adds Nakul Duggal, senior vice president & GM, automotive, Qualcomm Technologies. "This latest optimization of Alexa Custom Assistant with Snapdragon Automotive Cockpit Platforms allows for smarter, customized and natural interactions between drivers and vehicles, which nurtures a stronger driver-to-vehicle relationship."
This announcement was part of an impressive series of announcements by Qualcomm, a few weeks after CES, where the company basically unveiled its plan to dominate the automotive world with a combination of its own processors and 5G/integrated Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and precise positioning technologies. The new Qualcomm automotive SoCs were announced at the company’s virtual "Automotive Redefined: Technology Showcase," and are an expansion of its existing Qualcomm Snapdragon Ride Platform, now combined with new artificial intelligence (AI) accelerators and more processing power, which the company promises are ready to support fully automated driving solutions.
Fortunately, most car manufacturers will offer all those features as an expensive add-on option, and most users will still be able to replace the whole digital cockpit with an after-market solution with physical mechanical buttons, USB Type-B connector with support for external DACs, RCA connectors and a phono preamp to connect a turntable, plus support to bring-your-own-smartphone and a charging pad.
www.amazon.com | www.qualcomm.com
