BMW deepens Alexa ties for next voice assistant

BMW has tapped Amazon's Alexa platform to smarten the automaker's next- generation vehicle voice assistant.

The German luxury marque currently offers voice connectivity on some vehicles using Amazon's Alexa home wireless service.

But the latest BMW-Amazon collaboration will create deeper integration and improve functionality.

The first vehicles with the new generation of BMW's voice assistant will launch within the next two years.

Stephan Durach, 51, is senior vice president of connected company development for BMW Group. He spoke with Staff Reporter Urvaksh Karkaria about how the Amazon partnership integration will bolster BMW's voice assistant offering. Here are edited excerpts.

Q: How does the Alexa platform help BMW improve its voice assistant technology?

A: The Alexa tech stack is the next step in improving the BMW [Intelligent] Personal Assistant. It enables an even more natural dialogue between driver and vehicle so that drivers can stay focused on the road.

What new capabilities are achieved by building BMW's next-generation voice assistant on Alexa technology?

The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant will work more seamlessly with the Alexa experience that customers use today. That includes controlling music, managing smart home [devices] remotely, adding items to a shopping list or checking the weather.

We can imagine seeing many more features in the future. But that's a story for later.

What are the benefits for BMW from a product development standpoint?

We are integrating the best aspects of all worlds. That could be our in-house development, open-source or commercial software products, depending on the specific solution.

We make sure our customers enjoy a unique, customized digital experience in their vehicle. That drives development.

What is it about the way consumers are experiencing the vehicle cabin that's driving this technology?

The nature of mobility is constantly changing. Consumers expect vehicles to be seamlessly integrated into their digital ecosystem. Consumers expect a unique in-car experience and a much more natural interaction between driver and car.

Why is Amazon the best partner for BMW on this technology?

There are many reasons. BMW and Amazon are among the leading companies in their industries. The Alexa technology tech stack is the best extension of BMW's next-generation smart assistant.