SoundHound AI has made a groundbreaking announcement regarding its collaboration with an international automaker. The company's innovative voice assistant, integrated with ChatGPT, will enter full production and debut in Stellantis DS Automobiles next month.
This achievement follows the successful pilot of the SoundHound Chat AI for Automotive, the first generative AI-enabled in-vehicle voice assistant introduced to the market in April 2023.
“This is a world first, made possible by our exceptional voice AI technology that integrates seamlessly with ChatGPT, or any other generative AI model. In piloting SoundHound Chat AI with automakers, we’ve been blown away by consumer enthusiasm as demonstrated by the huge increase in engagement with the voice assistant. We believe the potential use cases are endless,”said Keyvan Mohajer, CEO and Co-Founder of SoundHound AI.
The advanced assistant - Iris - has undergone testing in DS vehicles across the UK, Spain, France, Germany, and Italy. Now, it is poised to make its mark in eighteen countries with support for thirteen languages. Iris, powered by SoundHound Chat AI and ChatGPT, stands out as an exceptionally sophisticated assistant capable of handling diverse real-time queries, setting a new standard in in-vehicle voice interaction.
The incorporation of this technology enables drivers and passengers to access information and updates seamlessly through hands-free voice control. Whether planning a trip, adjusting the sunroof, checking sports scores, making a call, or retrieving parking information at their destination, Iris caters to a wide array of needs.
An interesting aspect of SoundHound's system is its proprietary approach, which significantly mitigates the risk of "AI hallucinations," providing reliable and predictable responses. This is a notable contrast to large language models that may produce misleading or unpredictable results.
Notable increase in usage
Initial data reveals a substantial increase in usage, with DS Automobiles reporting a remarkable uptick of over 50%. Users are engaging more frequently with voice assistants equipped with generative AI capabilities. Besides standard requests like navigation and weather updates, these assistants assist drivers by addressing nuanced questions such as local weather conditions, indoor activities during rain, and recommendations for the best museums.
This positive response aligns with SoundHound AI's 2023 driver survey, where half of all regular drivers expressed a likelihood of using such technology.
Integration with third-party genAI models
The core of SoundHound's Chat AI platform lies in its ability to seamlessly integrate with various third-party generative AI models, creating a cohesive conversational experience. This platform ensures continuous, accurate responses, leveraging proprietary technologies named CaiLAN (Conversational AI Language) and CaiNet (Conversational AI Network). CaiLAN efficiently builds knowledge domains, while CaiNet leverages machine learning to understand queries and provide suitable responses. This dynamic duo allows seamless connections to external models like OpenAI's GPT, demonstrating the versatility of SoundHound's approach.
As SoundHound AI continues to expand its customer base, having already attracted over 25 car brands in just seven years, its influence in the automotive industry is evident.
Elsewhere, SoundHound AI has announced that it is acquiring SYNQ3 Restaurant Solutions, expanding its market presence to over 10,000 signed locations, and expediting the implementation of generative AI capabilities within the industry.
