BMW and Mini cars to get Amazon Alexa integration

From mid-2018, Amazon Alexa will be available in all BMW and Mini vehicles in the USA, UK and Germany.

The BMW Group will integrate Amazon’s famous Alexa AI virtual assistant into its cars from next year.

The inclusion of Amazon’s voice service will enable BMW Group customers to access a variety of services, entertainment features and shopping facilities while on the move by voice interaction. A variety of Alexa skills available on Amazon’s Echo devices will now be available for in-car use as well.

BMW has already made available its ‘Connected skill for Alexa’ on its cars since September 2016, which allows BMW Connected users in the USA, Germany and the UK to ask Alexa to check vehicle information such as the state of charge or fuel level, or control their car via Remote Services from the comfort of their home.

Alexa’s full integration into vehicles would allow customers can find out which movies are currently showing at the local cinema, listen to their favourite playlist or find out the weather at their destination by voice command while on the move. And if the driver realises midway through a journey that they have forgotten something, they can ask Alexa to place an online order.

To make Alexa’s integration more seamless, smartphone will not be required to access the voice assistant, as all BMW models and selected Mini vehicles come equipped with a built-in SIM card. The resultant provision of online accessibility anywhere will allow easier accessibility of Alexa.

Amazon is yet to officially introduce its Alexa voice assistant in India. However, rumours suggest that the American e-retail company is expected to do the same in 2018. Therefore, we can surely expect BMW and Mini cars in India to receive Alexa integration after the voice assistant becomes fully functional here.