Excited to experience the next level of voice control technology? Look no further than your next new BMW vehicle.
“Voice control first featured in BMW Group cars many years ago, and we are now enhancing its functionality by adding a digital ecosystem, which will open up all sorts of new possibilities that customers can access quickly, easily and safely from their car.” That’s Dieter May, Senior Vice President Digital Services and Business Models at the BMW Group, talking about the announcement by the BMW Group that Amazon’s voice-controlled personal assistant, Alexa, will make its way into all new BMW models from mid-2018. With this integration, tens of thousands of Alexa skills will be available to BMW drivers for in-car use.
Alexa will build on the already robust voice control features found in more than 8.5 million BMW vehicles worldwide. The versatility of Amazon’s Alexa, paired will the comprehensive digital ecosystem supported by Amazon, will help drivers tap into a wider array of features than ever before. Settle that in-car debate, see which movies are playing, and call that restaurant you were thinking of to see what time the kitchen closes, all with the power of your voice. More than anything, Amazon’s Alexa has a reputation for being easy to use and quick to respond. We can’t wait to see how it will enhance the driving experience when the Alexa-equipped vehicles arrive at our dealership near Deltona, FL next year.
The best part? Thanks to the built-in SIM card that all BMW models have equipped, no phone is necessary to use Alexa—which means no draining your battery along the way. BMW Connected, BMW’s own personal mobility assistant, has been compatible with Alexa since September. This functionality has allowed drivers to ask Alexa for charge and fuel levels, control their automobiles using Remote Services, and more, all from inside their home with their Amazon device. By bringing Alexa into the car, drivers will have more tools at their disposal than ever before.
Check out the current fleet of new BMW models and pre-owned BMW models to sample the robust BMW Connected voice control features that are already present. We look forward to showing off this exciting technology!