Long gone are the days of command and control, as voice AI solutions that are faster, more accurate, responsive, and conversational usher in the future of automotive experiences. Users aren’t just demanding better driving experiences, they’re craving cars that provide access to everything from entertainment and functionality to restaurant ordering and smart home device control. According to Voicebot.ai, 50% of car buyers in the U.S. view voice as part of their buying criteria, showing that consumers are actively seeking out hands-free interactions when they’re behind the wheel. 

However, there are many challenges that auto manufacturers face when developing voice assistants. There’s local data storage and processing to consider, along with CPU footprints, user privacy, internet access, and more. For many auto OEMs, a versatile connectivity solution helps them navigate these obstacles and produce a voice assistant that surpasses their users’ needs. 

Edge+Cloud™ is a connectivity solution that gives brands and users the best of both worlds—edge processing power with cloud connectivity. This solution is revolutionizing the automotive industry by offering faster processing, greater accuracy, and consistent, reliable responses. Edge+Cloud offers an always-on, conversational intelligence solution that works even when the cloud is not available.

Take a deep dive into all the ways voice assistants on the edge are creating greater value and opening up the possibilities for manufacturers in our white paper: “Discovering the Possibilities of Voice Assistants on the Edge”.

Dive into these 4 ways Edge+Cloud is transforming the automotive industry: 

1. Active arbitration

2. Always-on capability

3. Beyond command and control

4. Connect drivers to smart ecosystems

1. Active arbitration

With Active Arbitration technology, Edge+Cloud voice assistants instantly source data from embedded voice functions and information from the cloud—meaning drivers’ queries are simultaneously sent to the data sets on the edge and in the cloud, producing quicker results and reducing user frustration. They deliver a seamless response regardless of the data source, with drivers and passengers benefiting from a cohesive and optimized voice experience.

With high performance also comes a lower CPU footprint, which is a key consideration for many auto OEMs trying to fit voice capabilities into their existing hardware structure. Edge+Cloud connectivity doesn’t impact the existing hardware space, and an EdgeLite solution can be chosen for a smaller size. EdgeLite doesn’t have quite as many natural language capabilities as the full Edge solution but still has some conversational capabilities. 

2. Always-on capability

When users have cloud-only connectivity for their voice assistants, they can lose access when the cloud is not available. For example, traveling from place to place means that drivers may go into a tunnel or drive into the mountains where Internet service is not available. By having Edge+Cloud connectivity, drivers and passengers will still have access to embedded features with high responsiveness and functionality and critical navigation, even when the cloud is not available.

With SoundHound’s Edge Connectivity solutions, drivers and passengers can perform a variety of in-car operations, including rolling up and down the windows, adjusting the temperature, controlling the radio, turning on or off seat warmers, and more, just by using their voice. Then, just has easily and quickly,  drivers can get all the information they need from the cloud without the latency associated with some legacy solutions.

3. Beyond command and control

Early attempts at voice assistants left users confused and frustrated with having to memorize preset scripts and say short, awkward commands to achieve their goals. Voice assistants have evolved quite a bit since then into an array of conversational capabilities. Edge connectivity solutions leave step-by-step voice menus behind and make voice experiences faster, safer, more conversational, and more convenient.

If a voice assistant doesn’t have advanced language capabilities, it may force the driver to look down at the screen to correct the error, which can lead to safety concerns. Drivers need to concentrate on the road at all times, so voice solutions inside the car need to be completely hands-free, natural, and easy to use.

Edge+Cloud also provides options for increased privacy. Edge technology doesn’t connect to the cloud, so sensitive information can be stored on the device where it will never reach the Internet, building trust with users.

4. Connect drivers to smart ecosystems

Edge+Cloud connectivity solutions also connect drivers to a wide expanse of smart ecosystems that make their lives more efficient and convenient. Drivers and passengers will have access to navigation, local search, parking, and charging and fuel stations.. As we move toward a world of connected cars, access to all the ecosystems will become essential.

In-car voice AI technology has the power to connect drivers to their smart home devices to perform such functions as adjusting their home’s thermostat, preheating the oven, or opening the garage door from inside the car. Edge+Cloud connectivity also gives drivers access to multiple cloud domains, an ecosystem of partnerships, and monetization opportunities—opening the door to a wide variety of opportunities and a wealth of capabilities, from ordering food to answering every imaginable query. 

Edge+Cloud technology is creating a new wave of in-vehicle experiences through Active Arbitration, always-on capability, and connecting drivers to smart ecosystems with conversational intelligence that goes far beyond command and control.  Auto manufacturers looking to provide their drivers and passengers with the best possible experiences and the latest technology should consider the benefits of SoundHound Suite of Edge Connectivity solution

Want to learn more about Edge connectivity solutions? Check out these resources: 

• 4 Industries Revolutionizing Product Solutions with Voice Assistants on the Edge
• How Edge Voice Assistants are Bringing Products to Life
• How Edge Voice Assistants are Making the World More Accessible
• Voice Assistants on the Edge Provide Greater Security, Privacy, and Safety

At SoundHound, we have all the tools and expertise needed to create custom voice assistants and a consistent brand voice. Explore SoundHound’s independent voice AI platform at SoundHound.com or speak with an expert or request a demo below.