BMW to Integrate Amazon Alexa Into Cars Starting Mid-2018

[Jason]

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BMW to Integrate Amazon Alexa Into Cars Starting Mid-2018

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• Seamless integration due to built-in SIM card in all vehicles
• Alexa shows relevant content for certain skills in the Display Screen
• Integration of Alexa into all BMW and MINI models from launch
• No smartphone needed to benefit from Alexa in the car

Munich/Seattle, September 27, 2017. The BMW Group is systematically expanding the intelligent connectivity capabilities of its vehicles by seamlessly integrating the highly versatile Alexa, Amazon’s voice-controlled personal assistant, into all BMW and MINI models from mid-2018. The innovative inclusion of a cloud-based voice service will enable BMW Group customers to access a variety of services, entertainment features and shopping facilities while on the move by simple voice interaction. Tens of thousands of Alexa skills that can be accessed from Echo devices will now be available for in-car use, too.

BMW Connected skill for Alexa has been available since September 2016. This has allowed BMW Connected users in the USA, Germany and the UK to ask Alexa to check vehicle information such as the state of charge or fuel level, or control their car via Remote Services from the comfort of their home. Alexa also makes it possible to consult appointments or scheduled routes and departure times with the help of the BMW Connected mobility agenda. The availability of Alexa in the car now makes it possible to use functions enjoyed at home while out on the road as well.

“By making this step of integrating Alexa into our models from mid-2018, BMW and MINI will form a more intrinsic part of our customers’ digital lifestyles,” remarked Dieter May, Senior Vice President Digital Services and Business Models at the BMW Group. “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.”

Today, 8.5 million BMW Group models worldwide are already connected. The vast number of services and infotainment features that can be controlled by voice commands in BMW models have paved the way for the forthcoming connectivity options and new digital services. A smartphone is not required to benefit from Alexa in the car, as all BMW models and selected MINI vehicles come equipped with a built-in SIM card. The resultant provision of online accessibility anywhere, anytime allows the seamless integration of Alexa.

For example, customers can find out which movies are currently showing at the local cinema, listen to their favourite playlist or find out the weather at their destination by voice command while on the move. And if the driver realises midway through a journey that they have forgotten something, they can ask Alexa to place an online order. Alexa can also show relevant content for certain skills (visual feedback) in the BMW Display Screen or MINI Centre Instrument.

“We are excited to work with BMW to bring the Alexa experience to their drivers,” said Ned Curic, Vice President, Alexa Automotive. “Using your voice to enjoy content and interact with Alexa makes a great driving experience even better. We can’t wait for BMW customers to try this out.”

Intelligent connectivity between the vehicle and the user’s digital touchpoints is therefore moving into a new dimension at both BMW and MINI. Since the launch of the MINI Countryman – and the new MINI Connected alongside it – the connectivity capabilities of the British premium brand have been constantly enhanced.

From mid-2018 Amazon Alexa will be available in all BMW and MINI vehicles in USA, UK and Germany.

[BMW F22]

In conjunction with Apple CarPlay?

[AndrewC1989]

Alexa, get me out of this speeding ticket...

[woody320]

Does it look like this could apply to existing suitably equipped vehicles (like Ford has) or will it be the usual BMW new vehicles only?

[Yoddha]

The last thing we need is Amazon slithering its tentacles into the car scene...

[tastes jigga]

I'd rather not have Jeff Bezos & CIA listening to me through a hardwired SIM connection.

[GC_F80]

Nice, shopping while driving! Now I can order my toilet paper while on the road to get toilet paper.

[Chihuahua]

"I'm sorry Dave, I'm afraid I can't do that..."

[LemonOne]

Alexa = the ultimate spying machine

[hoyasaxa]

This is a terrible idea. Is bmw going to pass the massive kickback from Bezos on to the customers? Nope.

[225]

Could it be bmw is no longer taking Apple's brown envelopes full of cash!? What next?! Bmw fully supports the couple of billion Android smart phone users as well!??

[ASAP]

man, they r just onto some serious bullshit these days

[xlover]

wonder if this will come in an OTA update for earlier cars that pack the necessary hardware and base Idrive versions

[Zeroblade]

Damn... Alexa gets around...

[allinon72]

Um no thanks

[raysspl]

Shiiiiiiiit

[Crimson92]

Nooooo.

Why can?t cars just be cars.

[BOOF-M3]

Originally Posted by pasghetti

"It looks like you're trying to change lanes, shall I signal for you?"
"Alexa, no!"
"I did not understand that, please try again"

You beat me to it Pasghetti but I'll give it a shot anyway.

Alexa call Boof

You want me to open the roof?

No Alexa call Boof

Ok, opening the roof.

Thank you Alexa smh??

[440xiGCMsport]

all the complaints of distracted driving we wonder why?

[mvigod]

Originally Posted by 225

Could it be bmw is no longer taking Apple's brown envelopes full of cash!? What next?! Bmw fully supports the couple of billion Android smart phone users as well!??

I'm an iphone user and hate apple carplay. They have closed down their API so better apps like Waze and Spotify cannot be used. So much for choice. So much for antitrust for blocking competitors. Microsoft was skewered a decade plus ago for bundling their own software and blocking competition.

I applaud BMW for letting Alexa in. Alexa is far better than Siri which is dreadful. I never use Siri on my phone except for one single feature - to set calendar appointments way in the future.

Competition is good. Having an audio driven interface that actually works is fantastic. I was going to get a 2nd phone like the Pixel or S8 just so I could have Android Auto in my cars so I could use the better apps. It's sad because apple should be doing what is best for consumers and blocking apps we all want is not that.

Thank you BMW for understanding this.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by xlover

wonder if this will come in an OTA update for earlier cars that pack the necessary hardware and base Idrive versions

The press release mentions cars will be equipped with specific SIM.

[ska///235i]

Self driving electric M cars with alexa....shit! We got nothing to live for anymore