At the CES 2017, AI personal assistants such as Cortana are making their way to the automotive industry with major manufacturers Nissan and BMW already announcing plans who the applications will be in (Photo : YouTube/Nissan USA)
Cortana, Microsoft's intelligent personal digital assistant, has one sweet ride up ahead. In the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2017, various car manufacturers like Nissan and BMW have demonstrated how these AI-powered assistants could shape the ride of the future.
In the CES 2017, Japanese automaker Nissan announced its plans to incorporate Microsoft's Cortana into the design of future car models, The Verge reported. The car manufacturer is collaborating with Microsoft on how the software giant's slew of applications such as the Office 365, Azure and Cortana could be harnessed to power its Connected Vehicle Platform concept.
Previously, the Japanese company teased on how Cortana could be customized to suit the needs of modern day travellers while on the road. Previous plans show how a car's windshield could become one big augmented reality screen, transforming it into a screen for restaurant selections, reservations and even to display an interactive map.
Nissan's presentation at the CES 2017 finally revealed how such Cortana-assisted driving could be the future in personal mobility. In a video demonstration, the AI-powered personal assistant responds promptly to the question "what is my schedule" by displaying its calendar functionality.
However, using Cortana on the road opens more venue and opportunities for interaction with the user as demonstrated by Nissan. For instance, the intelligent digital assistant showed remarkable grasp of navigational concerns offering shortcuts, while drivers may download new maps overnight for new routes. The assistant even shows its solicitous side during the demo by asking "shall I engage auto park?"
Apparently, harnessing AI personal assistant on the road is an industry-wide interest among car manufacturers as it is not only Nissan which demonstrated the technology at the CES 2017. Luxury carmaker BMW has embraced Microsoft's Cortana to enhance its digital platform BMW Connected.
BMW Connected is the company's digital platform where car owners may avail of a range of digital services. With Cortana's integration into the BMW Connected platform, owners may be able to make voice-controlled commands, get scheduling reminders and even make internet searches as well as reservations even while driving, Tech Radar reported.
The experience could be akin to having an extremely useful passenger without the annoyances of having a backseat driver on board. Meanwhile, those interested to watch Nissan's CES 2017 keynote address may watch it below.
