BMW is taking a cue from the home smart speaker craze and developing an in-car voice system with newly advanced radio control features.
You will be able to ask your radio to identify the song that is currently playing. Or you can ask it to search for a certain type of music station (rock or country or classical, etc.)
Additionally, the new BMW voice assistant is compatible with Alexa and other voice assistants so it will work with your home speaker.
Users can say, “Hey BMW,” to launch the system or set their own launch phrase.
You can say, “I’m cold,” and the system will adjust the temperature settings. You can ask for info on the oil level or say, “I’m tired,” and it will adjust the car settings to help keep you awake, through the temperature, music and lighting. The car will tell you when the tire pressure is low and it will offer fuel saving tips.
BMW will continue to add new capabilities to the system, called BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.
The system can also link to Microsoft Office to read aloud your email. And it links to Skype for a teleconference.
It starts rolling out in March next year to all BMW models with the new 7.0 operating system.
The BMW Intelligent Assistant was presented at TechCrunch Disrupt last week and also announced in June.
Alexa voice control is a available from car makers including Ford, Toyota, Lexus and Hyundai. and Mercedes as well as BMW.
