BMW will offer voice connectivity on new vehicles using Amazon’s Alexa home wireless service.
The upgraded BMW Connected smartphone app using Alexa will be available in the United States in early October, the company said.
Hyundai’s new Genesis luxury division was the first to offer access to car functions using Alexa voice commands.
BMW said by using voice controls through Alexa, an owner can perform checks such as vehicle battery charge and fuel levels, and even lock the vehicle remotely.
Alexa integration will also send navigation directions to the vehicle and advise when it’s time to leave for a scheduled trip. The owner will also be notified via smartphone.
To activate the feature, an owner has to say the word Alexa and then BMW into speaker-like Amazon devices that include the Echo.
The integration with Amazon leapfrogs today’s smartphone connectivity used by many automakers that already offer remote access to their vehicles.
