SoundHound partners with Lucid Motors to launch hands-free voice assistant

SoundHound, a leading provider of voice AI technology, has announced a partnership with the electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Motors to enhance the driving experience with a new hands-free voice assistant, named the Lucid Assistant. As detailed in a press release on January 2, the assistant leverages SoundHound’s artificial intelligence to provide an innovative, conversational interface for the Lucid Air, the company’s flagship electric vehicle.

According to Dr. Jean-Philippe Gauthier, head of software engineering at Lucid, collaborating with SoundHound has enabled the development of the Lucid Assistant that extends beyond mere voice control capabilities. He stated, “In combination with Lucid’s frequent over-the-air software updates, Lucid Assistant can grow in functionality and capability over time, delivering an ever-better experience for Lucid owners.” This evolving technology is designed to respond to natural language requests and is activated by the phrase “Hey Lucid,” allowing users to engage in dialogue with their vehicles seamlessly.

The Lucid Assistant provides a range of functionalities, including answering user inquiries about the vehicle’s performance and features, referencing the full car manual, and enabling voice-activated control of essential functions such as navigation. As noted in the announcement, the technology ensures accurate responses by selecting the most suitable answer from various domains, whether utilizing generative AI for complex queries or delivering straightforward information, such as real-time data on weather, sports, and stock prices.

SoundHound will showcase the new Lucid Assistant at the upcoming CES show in Las Vegas, providing attendees with a “hands-on experience” of the assistant’s capabilities. The integration of generative AI in automotive technology is paving the way for more advanced interactive experiences. Christian Mentz, Chief Revenue Officer at Cerence, highlighted the growing flexibility of voice-enabled systems, stating that generative AI allows for “a much more conversational interaction with your vehicle compared to previous generations of AI.”

An example of this capability is found in navigation systems, where the incorporation of sophisticated language models improves response interpretation. Mentz elaborated, “For example, a driver can make a complex request like, ‘I’m hungry for a thin crust pizza,’ and the system can interpret it, bringing up route guidance to an Italian restaurant with that variety of pizza on the menu.”

As the automotive industry increasingly integrates AI technologies, the collaboration between SoundHound and Lucid Motors signifies a notable advancement in the provision of smart and responsive systems within vehicles, influencing not only user interaction but also the broader landscape of automotive technology.

Source: Noah Wire Services