Drivers Would Use Voice Generative AI in Their Cars, Study Finds
The vast majority of regular drivers (79 percent) across Europe would use voice assistants with voice generative artificial intelligence capabilities in their cars if available, according to a study by Big Village Insights and SoundHound AI.
While most of the drivers surveyed have access to in-vehicle voice assistants (78 percent in the United Kingdom, 77 percent in Germany, and 65 percent in France) and the majority of those with access using them at least weekly, until now use has largely been limited to in-vehicle controls, navigation, and calls.
But this research found that drivers are ready for supercharged assistants with AI-powered natural language conversational capabilities. 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 a car manual to better understand and operate car features and address maintenance issues, and even using the in-vehicle voice assistant to summarize text or email threads.
Other key findings included the following:
| UK | France | Germany | All of Europe |
Drivers said they were likely to use voice generative AI capabilities in their car if available | 84% | 70% | 82% | 79% |
Would be willing to pay a fee or be served ads to get access | 69% | 71% | 63% | 68% |
The percent of those planning to purchase or lease a vehicle in the next 12 months who would select a car with AI features over one without | 83% | 87% | 78% | 83% |
The report also found that as many as 40 percent of drivers currently find car features too complicated, with 50 percent finding common applications like GPS navigation difficult and frustrating.
The study tested ideas for new and enhanced in-vehicle features for drivers, including the following:
- In-vehicle food ordering – Voice assistant allows drivers to order food along their routes so it's ready when they arrive and pay with credit cards on file.
| UK | France | Germany |
Interest in AI feature | 72% | 57% | 69% |
- Vehicle management, to helpnavigate alerts and car features. When alerts pop up, the assistant can provide the meaning behind the alert, assists with scheduling the vehicle for service, and brings the owners' manual to life with responses to questions about how to use certain vehicle features.
| UK | France | Germany |
Interest in AI feature | 90% | 77% | 88% |
- Summarize text threads, place calls, and more, letting voice generative AI do the talking on quick calls like ETA updates, and provide real-time news, weather, and sports updates.
| UK | France | Germany |
Interest in AI feature | 84% | 68% | 81% |
"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, chief operating officer and automotive lead at SoundHound AI, in a statement. "In some cases, we've seen voice assistant usage increasing fivefold compared to a traditional vehicle voice assistant. That tells us that AI-powered technology is making a significant impact and is here to stay."