In an announcement on Wednesday, General Motors revealed that Amazon Alexa and all of the services she provides will be implemented into the infotainment system of GM brand vehicles starting in the first half of 2020.
Alexa originates from the Amazon Home Echo devices. Users can state her name, and then a command, and she will follow that to the best of her abilities. This can range from ordering items online to calling someone to reading emails, weather, and all of the various skills of a virtual assistant.
Vehicles will require compatible hardware and a 4G LTE connected service plan to include the Alexa upgrade. Fortunately, certain GM models have been getting this hardware since 2018. These models will be able to get Alexa through a software update, according to GM's VP for Global Connected Services, Santiago Chamorro.
"GM’s updateable app framework and vehicle connectivity lets us provide customers with new technologies that enhance the ownership experience, even to customers with vehicles that are already on the road."
When properly connected, the new assistant will allow the driver greater control of any other Alexa supported devices, ranging from phones to thermostats, while on the road.
GM expressed that they want to be inclusive with their infotainment system, mentioning how much people wanted seamless integration with their devices back when Google Assistant was unveiled.
