Amazon is taking on Google in the car space.
what you need to know
- Amazon has announced a software update that will bring Alexa to thousands of Jaguar Land Rover models.
- The digital assistant will be available in over 200,000 Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles running Pivi Pro 3.0 or later.
- Alexa will be free to car owners, but requires a paid subscription.
Last year, Amazon revealed its intent to hack into your garage to give automakers access to the artificial intelligence systems behind its Alexa digital assistant, starting with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The solution, called Alexa Custom Assistant, allows automakers to build custom voice experiences for customers.
Alexa is now using more of the dashboards provided by Jaguar Land Rover. The British auto giant announced this week that Amazon’s digital assistant will be available in more than 200,000 Jaguar Land Rover models.
The system will be available on older and newer models with a Pivi Pro 3.0 or later infotainment system. It will be delivered via over-the-air updates, and unlike other car brands, owners won’t need to take their units to a retailer.
According to Jaguar Land Rover, customers will receive the update for free, although the fine print of its announcement states that a 12-month subscription to the paid online package service is required. Some owners may also need to visit their dealership as existing vehicles require multiple updates to receive the latest version of the Pivi Pro.
To activate Alexa, just scan the QR code on the Pivi Pro screen. This will connect Alexa to your InControl account. After that, you can start giving Alexa voice commands for tasks like navigation, media playback, phone calls, and weather updates.
Jaguar and Land Rover customers can also use the Land Rover Remote Skill and any of the best Alexa devices to check the vehicle’s range, see if the vehicle is fully charged, or activate the climate control system remotely.
The integration marks Amazon’s continued efforts in the automotive space as Google intensifies its focus on vehicles powered by Android Automotive.
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