Volkswagen to Add AI to Your Drive

Volkswagen’s New Virtual Assistant: Google-Powered Help Right on Your Phone Volkswagen is bringing new technology to drivers with a smart virtual assistant in its myVW app. This new feature, created with Google Cloud, helps drivers of 2024 Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models get answers about their vehicles and much more. By using artificial intelligence (AI), this virtual assistant is fast, accurate, and simple to use. This partnership between Volkswagen and Google Cloud is just the beginning of bringing smart tools to help drivers feel confident on the road. How Does the myVW Virtual Assistant Work? Volkswagen’s new virtual assistant is built with Google’s top technology, called Vertex AI and Gemini models. This technology allows the assistant to answer questions about the car in an instant. For example, if a light appears on the dashboard that you don’t recognize, you can simply open the myVW app and point your phone camera at the dashboard symbol. The assistant will then explain what the symbol means and what steps to take next. The virtual assistant does more than just answer questions about dashboard lights. It also acts as a digital owner’s manual. Need to know how to change a tire? Just ask the assistant! This feature pulls information from official Volkswagen sources, like the car’s manual, helpful videos, and even answers to common questions from other drivers. This makes it easy to understand the car and keep it in good shape. Why This Virtual Assistant is Different What makes this assistant so special is Google’s Gemini AI models. Unlike regular apps, Gemini is what’s called “multi-modal.” This means it can understand and respond to different types of data, like text, images, and even videos. This ability to process different types of information is why the myVW assistant can “see” your dashboard and explain things you point to with your camera. It’s a smart, flexible tool that’s made to give you help when you need it most. Coming Soon to More Volkswagen Cars Right now, the virtual assistant is available only for the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport models. However, Volkswagen has big plans to bring this feature to more vehicles. That means more Volkswagen drivers will have easy access to this smart tool to help them understand and care for their vehicles. Making Car Care Simple and Easy Volkswagen’s virtual assistant is all about making life easier for drivers. The Chief Information Officer at Volkswagen Group of America, Abdallah Shanti, explained that the goal is to improve the ownership experience. With Google Cloud’s help, Volkswagen can connect drivers to their cars in a way that’s easy, fast, and accurate. This partnership with Google Cloud marks an exciting change in-car technology. Volkswagen is setting a new standard for driver convenience, showing how AI can make owning a car less stressful and more enjoyable. With the myVW virtual assistant, Volkswagen is leading the way in-car technology, making it simpler for drivers to get the support they need right from their phones. Volkswagen and Google are committed to helping drivers feel confident, safe, and informed. With this powerful virtual assistant in the myVW app, you’re never alone on the road. This is just the start of what Volkswagen and Google Cloud can do together! Visit Crain Volkswagen of Fayetteville today to learn more about VW Technologies.

We at Crain Volkswagen of Fayetteville have a tech update for Volkswagen owners! Volkswagen recently implemented a ChatGPT -integrated Plus Speech voice assistant in its vehicles. The company's goal is to simplify and improve the overall driving experience. This new feature allows drivers to interact with their car’s voice assistant, IDA, using natural, hands-free voice commands. The integration is made possible through a collaboration with Cerence, a leader in automotive AI, and its Cerence Chat Pro system. As of September 6, 2024, this feature is available in select models, including the 2025 Jetta, Jetta GLI, and some 2024 models like the 82-kWh battery ID.4. The addition of ChatGPT expands IDA’s abilities, allowing it to do more than just control basic functions. While it can adjust the cabin's climate and navigation, it can also now answer general questions, suggest places to eat, or even give travel tips. For example, you could say, "Hi IDA, I'm cold," and the system will adjust the car's heating. What is Plus Speech? Many Volkswagen models will come with a subscription service called Plus Speech with AI via Volkswagen Car-Net. This tool is how the vehicle connects to ChatGPT. If you already own a compatible ID.4 with this subscription, the ChatGPT functionality will activate automatically. Most 2025 models, such as the ID.4 and ID. Buzz will include three years of Plus Speech with AI for free. Other models, like the GTI, Golf R, and Tiguan, will come with a one-year subscription, while cars like the Jetta and Taos will offer the service as an option. However, ChatGPT will be included with the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport vehicles starting in 2026. Are you shopping for a new vehicle in Fayetteville, AR? Click here to shop our new car selection online. Your Info is Secure The system works by connecting to the cloud when it can’t answer a question directly. Cerence Chat Pro uses ChatGPT to understand conversational questions. This provides drivers with a more interactive and enjoyable drive. Volkswagen also makes privacy a top priority. ChatGPT never accesses vehicle data, and any session information is deleted after each use to ensure security. Drive confidently in your Volkswagen vehicle with IQ.Drive. Click to learn more on our blog. Available Languages Volkswagen first introduced this feature at CES 2024, and it is available in five languages: US and UK English, Spanish, Czech, and German. No extra setup is needed—customers can use their existing VW Connect accounts to access the voice assistant. Just say, “Hello IDA,” or press a button on the steering wheel to start using it. Volkswagen’s integration of ChatGPT shows its commitment to making advanced technology accessible to everyday drivers. By adding ChatGPT, Volkswagen vehicles become smarter and more connected. It also gives users a more personalized and secure driving experience. Stop by Crain Volkswagen of Fayetteville to see how artificial intelligence can improve your drive. Whether you're shopping for a compact daily driver or a large family SUV, we can help walk you through our vehicles' various features to help you decide which car best suits your lifestyle. Protect your vehicle with VW Carefree Coverage! Visit our blog to learn what these plans can offer you.

Your car's infotainment system is the central hub for a variety of your vehicle's tools and features. It provides a gateway to managing essential aspects of your drive and puts you in control of your journey. Volkswagen keeps improving this technology by adding new and innovative methods and tech. We at Crain Volkswagen of Fayetteville have compiled several helpful and innovative features these systems have to offer. Keep reading to learn what your Volkswagen Infotainment system can do for you! App Connect Effortlessly connect your phone with App Connect via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto! This lets you access various apps on your car's infotainment display, which are conveniently in your line of sight while you're behind the wheel. Customization VW infotainment systems provide you with superior control of your music, maps, and other media thanks to its innovative customization tiles. These let you set your system to your liking and ensure you know exactly where you can find your tools. Navigation One of the most essential and helpful tools that infotainment systems offer is maps and navigational tools. This technology provides audible directions and a map on your infotainment display, allowing you to focus on the road while giving you a clear sense of where you need to go. Music and Media Effortlessly swap between your favorite music, podcasts, and audiobooks while on the road. Enjoy a seamless audio experience whether you're in the midst of a gripping chapter, catching up on your favorite podcast show, or in the mood for your top playlist. Voice Commands For added convenience, you can manage your vehicle's features with the sound of your voice with Voice Control. Simply press the Voice Command button and speak to use the vehicle's built-in system, or long-press to utilize your smartphone's voice system. This lets you place calls and select your media with just the sound of your voice. Artificial Intelligence Earlier this year, Volkswagen announced the plan to add ChatGPT AI to select vehicles by integrating it with the IDA voice assistant. This allows for seamless access to an information database while drivers are on the road and provides smooth control of your car's features. Plus Nav Get real-time navigation info with your in-vehicle infotainment display with Plus Nav! This gives you superb route guidance and up-to-date information on traffic and weather. And, with a Plus Nav Subscription, you can also easily locate nearby gas stations and parking. Plus Nav Features Interactive navigation Enhanced maps Continuously updated traffic Routes Parking info Want to test drive one of our vehicles near Springdale, AR? Click here to learn how! Volkswagen is really pushing the boundaries with their infotainment systems, making driving a whole lot more enjoyable. They've got everything you need - from easy phone connections and settings you can tweak to suit your tastes to enhanced maps and easy-to-use tools. Plus, they're even bringing in smart AI tech like ChatGPT to make things even easier, focusing on making your journey smoother. Their Plus Nav feature is a standout, helping you get around with ease. In short, Volkswagen's infotainment system is not just about getting you from A to B; it's about making the ride fun and futuristic. It's clear they're all about using the latest tech to make driving better for everyone. Click here to shop our selection of new VW vehicles.