Amazon is introducing a gadget in the car, Echo Auto, at an event on September 20, 2018
Todd Haselton | CNBC
Amazon wants to make it easier for automakers to bring voice assistants to their vehicles.
The company on Friday announced a new service – Alexa Custom Assistant – that allows automakers and device makers to develop their own digital assistant, based on Amazon’s Alexa technology.
While it depends on Amazon’s technology, carmakers can tailor their digital assistant to their liking by establishing waking words, voice, unique skills, and capabilities such as searches, traffic updates, and navigation.
The cost of developing a smart assistant using the service will vary depending on the device or vehicle, customer use cases, and language requirements, Amazon said.
Amazon said the solution aims to eliminate some of the challenges posed by a company building its own digital assistant technology from scratch, which can be costly and time consuming. Automakers that use the service can also take advantage of “tens of thousands of Alexa skills and integrations,” such as the smart home, entertainment and shopping.
The offer is the latest example of Amazon’s efforts to expand Alexa’s reach beyond voice-activated smart speakers. The company has included the digital assistant in various household devices, including microwaves, watches and smart plugs.
In recent years, Amazon has focused on collaborating with vehicle manufacturers to bring Alexa to the road, either by incorporating the digital assistant into vehicles or enabling more basic functions, such as letting owners close their doors. of the vehicle using voice commands from home. Last January, Amazon launched an edition of its Fire TV streaming service for seat back screens.
Amazon faces competition from Silicon Valley companies like Apple and Google, which are also looking to convince automakers to integrate their technologies into vehicle entertainment systems. To date, Amazon has formed alliances with a growing list of automakers, including General Motors, Ford, BMW, Audi, Toyota, Hyundai and Nissan.
Fiat Chrysler, which has previously partnered with Amazon to bring its technology to vehicles, will be the first automaker to develop its own digital assistant using Alexa Custom Assistant, Amazon said. Alexa Custom Assistant will be integrated into selected Fiat Chrysler vehicles through its car entertainment and entertainment system, Uconnect 5.