SoundHound AI had published results of an independent survey of US vehicle owners that found that the majority of drivers are likely to use a voice assistant with generative AI capabilities.
Out of the surveyed, 76% have access to an in-vehicle voice assistant and 86% of voice assistant users using it weekly. These assistants have mostly been used for in-vehicle controls, navigation, and calls. However, SoundHound AI states that the research reveals that US drivers are ready for “supercharged assistants with new AI-powered capabilities that promise to bring a whole new world of functionality to drivers with natural conversation”.
These new voice generative AI functionalities include being able to place food orders and complete other transactions hands-free from the car dashboard, using the assistant instead of operating car features.
In the study, 74% of US respondents said they’d be willing to pay a fee or be served ads to get access; and 81% of US car owners who stated they were planning on purchasing or leasing a car in the next 12 months said they would prefer are car with AI features.
The report also found that nearly two in five US drivers currently find car features too complicated, with 50% finding common applications like GPS navigation difficult and frustrating.
“This survey data is consistent with what we’ve been seeing from real drivers using voice generative AI out on the road. Over the last 12 months of deployment, it’s become clear that those early users really see the value,” said Mike Zagorsek, COO and automotive lead at SoundHound AI.
Last year, SoundHound was the first AI company in the world to launch a vehicle assistant with generative AI capabilities. The software is now in production with a range of auto makers globally in multiple languages, with the assistant processing multiple millions of queries in the last 12 months.
