Volkswagen has picked Massachusetts based AI specialist Cerence to provide the voice assistant in the new, all-electric VW ID.3. The ID.3 is the first in what Volkswagen has described as a new generation of electric vehicles from the carmaker.

The ID.3 in-car assistant is summoned with “Hello ID” and provides voice-powered control for all in-car functions, including music and media, navigation, heating and air conditioning, phone calls and messaging.

Cerence provided core embedded and cloud technologies to power the assistant, including intelligent, natural speech recognition; human-like language output; and speech signal enhancement to accurately identify who in the car is talking.

Cerence Drive integrates with ID. Light, an LED strip that runs across the cockpit to help the driver by changing colour according to its current function and driving conditions. ID. Light lets drivers and passengers know that the voice assistant is listening through a light signal that indicates that it is awake and listening.

In a prepared statement, Volkswagen said, “ID.3 is about the future – a new and pioneering design, long ranges, and a sleek and innovative in-car experience. We are proud to have Cerence as our partner as we look to create a safe, high-quality in-cabin experience with intelligent design and visionary technology at its core.”

“The car of the future is increasingly buttonless, with new modalities of interaction taking centre stage in the in-car experience,” said Sanjay Dhawan, CEO, Cerence. “Voice control, especially in combination with Volkswagen’s new, innovative ID. Light feature, will help enhance safety, productivity and entertainment for ID.3 drivers and passengers in a new generation of the Volkswagen in-car experience.”

The first Volkswagen ID.3 vehicles, which are available in Europe only, are planned to be delivered to customers in October 2020.