Cerence has enhanced the conversational AI underpinning the voice assistant available in Audi’s latest models. The latest version of the Cerence Drive platform enhances natural language understanding and text-to-speech functions. The result is a more emotive, human voice for the In-Car Assistant in select Audi models.

The Burlington, Massachusetts based company develops connected car navigation and infotainment technology. Its Drive platform provides real-time access to content and services through the Audi Connect platform

Cerence Drive employs speech recognition, natural language understanding, text-to-speech, and speech signal enhancement. Its conversational automotive assistant for Audi can listen, understand, and respond to drivers. 

According to Cerence, Audi’s mobility assistant can understand natural, everyday speech and can speak expressively. The result is a more personal experience for car passengers. The assistant can ask questions of the driver, navigate complex commands and queries in multiple steps, and offer options.

Cerence built the assistant, including Audi-branded test-to-speach functions, with both cloud-based and embedded components. This hybrid approach provides drivers with faster and more natural access to services and features. These include news, music, weather and navigation, parking, and fuel. Due to the embedded components, the system functions even in areas of low or no connectivity.

“The purpose of our Audi Connect platform is to create deeper integration and interaction between the driver, the car, and the outside world for an intelligent travel companion that’s with you every step of the way,” said Martin Deinhard, Head of Development Connected Services & Speech Assistant, Audi. “The innovations within the Cerence Drive platform empower a conversational mobility assistant and infotainment experience that makes it safer and more natural than ever to interact with your Audi vehicle.”

“Cerence Drive makes it possible for leading car makers, like Audi, to create highly customised and branded experiences that enable deeper connections between drivers and their cars,” said Sanjay Dhawan, CEO, Cerence. “With Audi’s new voice personality and a keen attention to the applications, services, and content that are core to the Audi driving experience, we’ve delivered a natural, comfortable, and intelligent interface that truly differentiates the Audi system.”

Audi’s new voice assistant platform is currently available in Audi’s A8, A6, A1, A4, Q7, Q3, and e-tron models. Additional models are slated to appear later in 2020.