Amazon Assistant to Roll on 700K Ford Vehicles

Pretty impressive rollout here.   Like to see additional novel uses as well.   My own Echo Auto continues to run well. 

Amazon’s Alexa Gets Biggest Auto Rollout in Six-Year Ford Deal By Matt Day in Bloomberg

 Digital assistant will be on 700,000 cars and trucks this year, Companies will collaborate on tools for commercial fleets

Amazon.com Inc. is deepening its ties with Ford Motor Co. in a deal that will integrate Alexa into the entertainment system of F-150 trucks and other models.

Amazon’s digital assistant will roll out to about 700,000 Ford vehicles this year, including new and recent models of the pickup, as well as the Bronco and the electric Mustang Mach-E in the U.S. and Canada. New and existing vehicles powered by Ford’s SYNC-4 in-car software will also offer drivers the option of invoking Alexa hands-free.   ... " 

Amazon Opens Assistant AI Tech

 Have now run a car assistant for several years.  After a few bumps it works fine.       Have yet to see any true innovation in car use, just sharing some voice and music services.  What other customizations are useful?   Note the use of the 'Core AI platform',  or 'Alexa Custom Assistant' which implies a deeper technology reach, mentions video games.   Looking for a way to better monetize the AI investment.  See more on the tech at the Amazon Dev Site.       Via Walter Riker

Amazon opens Alexa AI tech for the first time so car makers can build custom assistants

Amazon is letting automakers tailor custom voice experiences using its AI platform  By Nick Statt@nickstatt   in TheVerge

Amazon will now allow third-party companies the unprecedented privilege of accessing the core artificial intelligence underpinning its Alexa digital assistant, a first for the company’s AI platform.

While Amazon has allowed companies to build skills for Alexa and allows pretty much any consumer electronic device maker to integrate Alexa into a compatible product, the e-commerce giant has not licensed the underlying AI tech for use in other assistant-like products. Amazon is calling the new offering Alexa Custom Assistant, and it’s starting out with a focus on the auto market.

Amazon is doing so to allow not just automobile manufacturers, but any company with a need for a digital voice assistant more control over the software experience. This will allow companies to create their own wake words and custom voices and capabilities Amazon says will “co-exist” with Alexa as it’s designed to work today. For the auto market, this provides Amazon the added benefit of having its software built directly into cars. ...'

Also the article mentions that Amazon is making this available for more than just car makers.

Alexa Roadside Assistance

Been examining some voice in car applications of smart home solutions.  Extending the confines of the home.  Here is one sent to me by Walter Riker.

Alexa-enabled roadside assist provides fast, intuitive help for U.S. motorists in a bind  By Betsy Amy-Vogt  in Silicon Angle

Remember that feeling of frustration when your car won’t start? Or a flat tire strands you on the side of the road? Instead of speeding down the highway, you’re digging through the glove compartment or searching online for a tow-truck company. Now, thanks to voice-activated assistant technology, there’s an easier way to get help.

“You just say, ‘Alexa, help me with my flat tire,’” said Beth Davidson (pictured, left), chief marketing officer at Agero Inc., which provides connected vehicle, roadside assistance and claims management services.

Davidson and Raj Behara , vice president and chief technology officer at Agero, spoke with Dave Vellante, host of theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio, during AWS re:Invent. They discussed Agero’s Alexa integrated Blink Roadside Assistance plan.  

AWS cloud provides Agero the ability to help millions of stranded motorists

Each year in the U.S., one in three people need roadside assistance, according to Davidson, which translates to 12 million events per year for Agero.  ... 

Updates on Echo Auto

Have been a user of Echo Auto in the car for some time.  There were early glitches, but it is working well  now.  They are just announcing some new capabilities:

Echo Auto, Alexa in the Car

Alexa is always getting smarter, and we are excited to introduce some new features for Echo Auto to make your drive even more of a breeze.

See and do more with Auto Mode

Try Auto Mode in the Alexa App to turn your smartphone into a driver-friendly display that complements your Echo Auto. Get useful info at a glance, see what song is playing, and use easy-to-tap shortcuts to quickly access your favorite places, people, and content. To turn on Auto Mode, just press the push notification that appears after your phone connects with Echo Auto at the start of each drive. Learn more.  . 

Let Alexa help kick off your commute

Try asking, “Alexa, start my commute,” at the beginning of each drive to get the day’s weather, traffic to work, and your favorite content to keep you entertained. The first time you try it, Alexa will ask you to enable the routine. You can customize your commute in the routines section of the Alexa app to make it most useful for you.

Pay for gas with just your voice

Now you can use your Echo Auto to conveniently pay for gas at Exxon and Mobil stations nationwide. No need to swipe your card, enter your zip code, or touch the keypad the next time you fuel up your car. Secured by Amazon Pay, it's simple and safe. No additional sign-up required. Just pull up to the pump and say, "Alexa, pay for gas." Learn more.   

Things to remember for the best experience:

Echo Auto Options an in-Car Display

Have now been using Echo Auto for over a 2 years.   Took some time to get to work well, but like it now.  Now how can companies further extend the voice control to commercial interactions?    The display will be criticized  because it could be distracting, despite the fact that the system already tries to confirm driver attention.  And a phone is already required in-car for assistant operation. Note it also works with an App on Android.  Brought to my attention by Walter Riker.

Amazon’s Alexa app will soon work as an in-car display for the Echo Auto Complete with shortcuts to navigation, media playback, and calling features    By Jon Porter@JonPorty

Auto Mode is a new feature coming to Amazon’s Alexa app that turns your phone into a “driver-friendly display” when used with Alexa auto accessories like the Echo Auto, the company says. As well as offering access to Alexa’s typical voice commands, it includes large touchscreen icons that provide access to features like directions, music playback, and making calls. Amazon says the mode will be available in the Alexa app on iOS and Android in the coming weeks “when paired to an Echo Auto or other supported Alexa Auto accessories.”  ... ' 

Alexa Will Voice Pay for Gas

Been looking for how services like Amazon Alexa can add to automotive experiences.  Well here is the newest, just announced:

Safe. Simple. Swift.

Now, you can use your Echo Auto or other automotive device with Alexa Built-in to safely and easily pay for gas at Exxon and Mobil stations nationwide. No need to swipe your card, enter your zip code, or touch the keypad the next time you fuel up your car. Secured by Amazon Pay, it’s simple and safe. No additional sign-up required. Just pull up to the pump and say, “Alexa, pay for gas.”

Try it out now

1. Pull up to the pump at your Exxon or Mobil gas station.
2. Using your Echo Auto or other automotive device with Alexa Built-in, say, “Alexa, pay for gas.”
3. Follow Alexa’s prompts to activate the pump.
4. Fuel up and be on your way! Payment is handled automatically after fueling.

BMW Takes Android Auto Forward

Continue to be a student of in-car use of assistants, here advances in Android Auto.  Have been using Echo Auto for some time.   Disappointed in its lack of advance into other mobile assistant uses.  What will be key next applications?

BMW's update with wireless Android Auto is rolling out
You may need to visit a dealership to get it.
Richard Lawler, @Rjcc  in Engadget

BMW Android Auto

At the end of last year BMW announced plans to add wireless Android Auto support on several of its vehicles, and according to Android Police, the update is now available. BMW announced it would arrive in July for vehicles using version 7.0 of its operating system, and while they weren’t able to snag it over-the-air, prompting the dealer for an update during a visit got the correct software installed.

One wrinkle to be aware of is that this support works only via wireless, so not every Android phone can make it happen (Google’s official list is made up mostly of Nexus, Pixel and Samsung devices). That said, they report it worked well with only a few hitches, which is similar to Autoblog’s experience with improved CarPlay support on this version of the software. For owners curious about how it will all work out, BMW has put together a demo video (below), and it should be more widely available soon.  .... " 

Amazon Wants a Big Piece of Self-Driving/Hailing

Been watching the extension of the smart home to the car by Amazon, interesting, but still weakly done.   Now are they really seeing 'self driving' as a means of selectively delivering the customer to the product, as opposed the the other way around?  A kind of ultimate 'smart-market'.  Will follow.

Amazon Shakes Up the Race for Self-Driving—and Ride-Hailing in Wired
The ecommerce giant is buying Zoox, which is designing autonomous robotaxis. Beware Uber and Lyft. 

UBER CEO DARA Khosrowshahi says his company wants to be the “Amazon for transportation.” Friday, Amazon made clear that it intends to be the Amazon for transportation.

The ecommerce giant said it had agreed to acquire Bay Area–based autonomous vehicle company Zoox, a deal reportedly worth more than $1 billion. (Amazon did not respond to WIRED's queries.) Since its founding in 2014, Zoox has been known for its technical chops, its secretiveness, and its sky-high ambition. While Alphabet's Waymo is focusing on self-driving tech and leaving the car building to places like Detroit, Zoox has stuck to its plan to design a robotaxi from the ground up—and operate a ride-hail service. In 2018, it showed off its first prototype vehicles, which look like sensor-laden golf carts on steroids. The company has also been testing its software on more conventional-looking Toyota Highlanders in San Francisco, where it is learning to handle chaotic city streets. ... " 

Amazon Takes Auto Echo to UK, Canada and Parts of Europe

Thought I had detected less support to auto assistants by Amazon, but this indicates they are going again, to new regions and likely regulation.     Extending in a sense the smart home to the car.    Competing now with related assistance capabilities in many new cars.  But considerably cheaper too if you have invested in the Amazon infrastructure.   Have had one installed since launch.  Found it to be somewhat tricky to install and maintain,  but useful if you spend significant time in your car.

Amazon's Echo Auto comes to the UK, Canada and parts of Europe   Two years after the US launch.   By Rachel England, @rachel_england in Engadget

Amazon launched Echo Auto in the US back in 2018, designed to bring Alexa voice commands to vehicles where they wouldn’t normally be an option. Now, finally, it’s arrived in the UK and Canada, as well as Germany, Italy and Spain (it was previously also available in Australia and India).  ... "

(Update) Comments on: Echo Auto Gets an Unexpected Ad Stream (Update): Free with a Buick

( Update:  I was mistaken below. the music and station formats you get depends upon the name of the subscriber.    So you can ensure your get a full subscription by installing the device in the same name.   Also Ads are then also gone.   The installation and maintenance of Alexa Smart Home is still too obscure,   for something that claims to border on intelligence.     A very astute and friendly Amazon call center person led me through the process )  ....

Been now using the Auto Echo for several months, this lets you connect with the Echo infrastructure cheaply from most cars.  The capability was advertised as providing the same Alexa environment you got at home, including smart home connections.    It works fairly well via a smartphone Echo App.

In just the last few days Amazon has started to insert amazon Advertising into the requested music stream, even for unlimited music subscribers.    Most requests for genre or even more specific music are converted into a 'station' request.   So the channel then includes advertising, fairly often in my estimation.   This is quite annoying, especially if you are paying for and expecting advertising-free streaming music, as I am.

In some cases I can buy directly by voice, adding more interaction delay.   Even Playlist requests convert into Stations, sometimes stretching the 'radio'  definition.    At home requests for music than come from Prime or Unlimited music come advertising-free as they always have been.   Station requested from Tunein or IHeartRadio seem to be working as before, with no additional ads.

I assume this addition of ads pays for the new auto infrastructure.  But the overall impression is negative.   I  pay extra for advertising-free, but now I get ads.    Its obvious that playlists and genres are being reinterpreted to get more ads to me.   The experience with Echo Auto is good, but not completely seamless.   This additional intrusion into the channel will not help sell it. 

I'd like to see Amazon's view of this.

Update:  I see that Echo Auto devices are being given out free with Buick automobiles in a promotion now.    Assuming these are being used to promote the use of Alexa infrastructure.  Again the way they work, interspersing Amazon ads,  would cheapen the gift,  if the promotion devices work the same way.

Echo Auto: Customizing Mobile Voice Experiences

My test for client discussions have been ongoing.  In my last post on this I mentioned that Amazon currently has very different behavior between home and Echo Auto behavior in the car, making the experience bumpy.  They should consider making the experience less annoyingly inconsistent. 

Customizing Voice Experiences for Echo Auto and Other In-Vehicle Devices  By Mark Tucker in Voicebot.ai

After a year-long, invite-only release of Amazon’s Echo Auto, the device is available for all to purchase. Amazon received over one million pre-orders for Echo Auto and Nationwide Insurance has announced it will distribute the device to another million drivers that are its customers. In addition, Voicebot data show there are as many as 50% more monthly active users of voice assistants while driving as through smart speakers. Now is the time for Alexa developers to start creating in-vehicle voice experiences. However, there are some new values you should be aware of that can be used to customize Alexa Skills for the car.

Alexa Devices for the Automobile Differ in Capabilities

While the Echo Auto is Amazon’s flagship product specifically made for automobiles, some users are bringing Alexa to the car using the Echo Input or Dot, their mobile phone with the Alexa App, or one of the third-party products from makers such as Garmin and Anker.

For this discussion, we are not considering the hardware aspects of these devices that make them special-built for automobiles. These aspects would include such things as the number of mics or whether the device connects to your car’s audio system via AUX, Bluetooth, USB, or FM Transmitter.

The following table shows what values are available on various devices for developers of custom Alexa Skills as they create in-vehicle experiences. Echo Auto today, offers two values that can be particularly useful for automotive use cases but are not available through third-party devices.  .... " 

Alexa Still Competing Best in the Home

Agree, have just been taking it into the car with Echo Auto.  Of course its still competing versus the smart phone screen.   In fact all connections with Echo devices are enabled and formulated from a smartphone App.   True you get higher audio and sometimes video from echo devices,  but not necessarily intelligence.   Siri and Android solutions can still be 'closer' to you because they are embedded in the hardware itself.   And hardware AI is starting to show its value for some kinds of AI problems.   The idea of very good 'ambient computing'  listening and engaging and conversing, may also be best closer to the hardware.   Good related thoughts below:

Alexa’s real competition is still your phone screen
Amazon is still better inside the home than outside
By Dieter Bohn in TheVerge

One of the big themes we’ve been tracking for a few years now is Amazon’s various attempts to make Alexa useful outside your home. Amazon has a very good value proposition for customers inside their houses: Echo speakers are great for music, timers and such in the kitchen, and smarthome controls.

Amazon clearly has ambitions to make Alexa the leading platform for ambient computing. But to do that, it needs more ubiquity than it can achieve right now. That’s one reason that Amazon was so excited to announce a partnership with GM to make Alexa available on those cars. It’s also one reason I was surprised to see the company didn’t announce any updates to the Echo Auto.

But the most obvious way to do that is to be the default assistant on phones. Amazon is probably never going to get there, because Apple won’t allow it, for one thing. On Android you can switch our your default assistant from Google to Alexa, but the number of customers who realize that’s possible is small and the number who are likely to do it is even smaller.  ... " 

Amazon Putting Alexa in the Car

Just put one in my own car and am starting to understand how it interacts with the smart home experience.   Its started to roll more broadly now as I hear colleagues chime in.  In this case Amazon  is well behind, with the usual competitors and car companies.  Good article on the complexity involved here.   Cheap and easy to use 'Echo Auto' gets the process started for those that already understand the basic infrastructure.  The new location channel for shopping is an intriguing step.

The article below contains an extensive article that follows a demo of what Amazon is developing and how they plan to connect the methods to mobility in general. 

Inside Amazon’s long game to put Alexa in your car

Competing with Apple and Google when you don’t have your own smartphone platform is tough. But Amazon has a plan—and lots of patience.    By Mark Sullivan in Fastcompany

The demo house Amazon built inside one of the towers at its Seattle headquarters to show off its Echo smart speakers has a new room, and an important one: a garage.

Inside the garage is a concept electric car—or, more specifically, the immobile insides of such a vehicle—that Amazon uses to show automakers the full spectrum of things its Alexa Auto software platform can do. That includes in-car versions of typical Alexa tasks such as audio streaming, messaging, voice calls, and reminders. And because it’s a car, Alexa can also do things like roll the windows up and down and control the cabin temperature, all at the verbal request of the driver.

Amazon has been working hard on Alexa Auto for the past two years. Now it hopes to convince automakers to embed the platform into their new cars.   .... " 

Echo Auto now in Operation

Just started using Amazon Echo Auto, after waiting nearly a year for a beta.  Works well.  Previous third part solution sallowed you limited access to your Alexa infrastructure, the newest version is much more complete.  From music manipulation, to calling, to linking to the smart home and navigation.   Even buying if you like.   Very cheap too.   It is still available by invitation only, not sure why there is this restriction, but you can readily request it.    Exploring Skills that deal with in-car retail related decisions.  See more about the capabilities.

Garmin DriveSmart 65

Been recently examining options for in-car assistant connection.   Awaiting the Echo Auto in the car.  Considering other elements of what data is being transmitted and leveraged.    Here Garmin makes a move with Alexa.   What will this mean in the future of assistants for driving?  Like assistants in the office its looking at an element of 'goal direction' based on location.

Garmin hopes Alexa will convince you to buy a dedicated GPS
The DriveSmart 65 behaves more like your phone, for better or for worse.

By Jon Fingas, @jonfingas  in Engadget

There's no question that dedicated GPS units are on the decline in an era when your smartphone is often good enough for navigation, if not better. Garmin, however, thinks it can stave off obsolescence in a simple way -- by adding a voice assistant you'd use on your phone. The new DriveSmart 65 is the company's first full-display GPS (but not its first ever) to incorporate Alexa, and uses the AI helper to handle the tasks that would normally require staring at your phone or infotainment system. .... " 

Echo Auto Ships to High Demand

Apparently there is considerable interest and even demand to get the Echo Auto into cars.   Even though later model cars today can already be fitted with Alexa, Google or Siri capability at low additional cost.  There seems to be real interest in the magic that Amazon can supply.  How will it differ from streaming music and extending the smart home?   Again it extends the Assistant, skill and channel ecosystem.

After over a million pre-orders, Amazon’s Echo Auto has begun to ship   By Sarah Perez  @sarahintampain TechCrunch

At Amazon’s event in September, the company announced the Echo Auto, an aftermarket product designed to bring Alexa to cars. But the device has remained in pre-order status, even as other products also unveiled at the same event — like the Fire TV Recast, AmazonBasics microwave and various Echo devices for the home — went on sale and shipped to customers. The Echo Auto, meanwhile, is still only available on an invite-only basis. But Amazon confirmed to TechCrunch that it has begun to ship the device to pre-order customers.

In fact, some Echo Auto customers received their new device in time for Christmas, according to Steve Rabuchin, VP, Alexa.

Apparently, the Echo Auto was in demand, too.

“We had over a million [pre-order] requests,” Rabuchin told us. “Now, we’re just starting to ship.”

Amazon says the device began to ship to the first set of customers in December, and pre-orders continue to be fulfilled. .... " 

Amazon with Telenav for in-car Assistance

More news on how Amazon plans to place their systems n cars and connect retail channels. Broadening the idea of an assistant. 

Amazon is getting more serious about Alexa in the car with Telenav deal
Megan Rose Dickey  @meganrosedickey in TechCrunch

 "Amazon today announced a significant partnership with Telenav, a connected car and location-based services provider. As part of the collaboration, Amazon’s voice assistant, Alexa, will now be part of Telenav’s in-car navigation systems.

As it stands, Alexa lacks a lot of information that is pertinent to drivers. This collaboration should massively help to change that. The partnership is also designed to enable carmakers to bring Alexa inside more of its vehicles.

“Navigation is among the most popular use cases for in-car technology, and we’re excited to be working with Telenav to make it easier for automakers and suppliers to support voice-first navigation through Alexa,” Amazon Alexa Auto VP Ned Curic said in a statement. “Using the Alexa Auto SDK, Telenav is helping make Alexa a truly integrated part of the in-car navigation system, and providing customers with a more useful, consistent experience at home and on the go.”  ... '

Telenav Press Release.

More in FinancialBuzz

https://twitter.com/Telenav
https://www.telenav.com

Amazon Echo Auto Announced

Been examining the idea for a long time,  the existing systems are operationally touchy.  Claim here is it wil operate when car starts.  Location-aware.  $50.  Not quite ready to ship, later this year. Would like to see useful integration between the data in the car and such assistants, but that might only occur when the automobile manufacturers cooperate.   Via IFTTT might be good. 

Amazon's Echo Auto puts Alexa in any car
You won't need a new vehicle to get the voice assistant.
Jon Fingas, @jonfingas in Engadget
(Still in development) 

(Update)  And Amazon this year provided an Auto SDK:

Amazon offers first look at Alexa Auto to developers today
Alexa should start appearing in more cars later this year

By Tom Warren     @tomwarren  in TheVerge

Waiting for the Echo Truck for the supply chain?