It’s getting to the point where voice skills like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant can do just about everything except give the kids a bath.
The timing of announcements about services around the US Consumer Electronics Show (CES) shows how Amazon hopes to dominate in-your-auto services in the same way as it provides voice skills and services in your home and on your computer.
Here’s a quick look at what Amazon is planning to put on the road when it comes to voice services.
Fill up your gas tank by voice at Exxon Mobil
Amazon, Fiserv, and Exxon Mobil will launch a service that lets drivers pay by Alexa for their gas at more than 11,500 Exxon and Mobil gas stations across the US. Initially, using a vehicle enabled with Alexa, drivers can pay for their gas by simply saying “Alexa, pay for gas.”
Payment will be processed by Amazon Pay using Fiserv’s digital commerce technology to secure the payment and transaction.
General Motors was the first automaker to enable payments at gas stations through its in-car entertainment systems last year.
Voice on Lamborghini and Rivian
Amazon added Lamborghini and Michigan-based electric vehicle maker Rivian to its list of partners enabling Alexa voice services in their vehicles. Rivian will also add Alexa voice services to the fleet of 100,000 all-electric delivery vehicles it is building for Amazon in 2021.
Amazon was also a lead in a $700 million investment in Rivian a year ago and its fleet of 100,000 delivery vans will be on the road by 2024.
Lamborghini will include Alexa in its $200,000-plus Huracan Evo and Rivian will integrate Alexa further in its first two all-electric vehicles later this year.
Amazon Alexa will soon be added to the infotainment systems of General Motors’ Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac vehicles in the first half of 2020.
Amazon TV in-car, Echo Auto on the road
If that’s not enough, Amazon also announced today it is adding Amazon TV to in-car entertainment systems in automakers including BMW and FiatChrysler.
Arianne Walker, Amazon chief evangelist of Alexa Auto, told CNBC the company is talking with all the major carmakers about various forms of voice and entertainment services.
It’s really more of a matter of getting things lined up for the cars that are going to be released as opposed to any hesitation,” she said.
Amazon is also planning other voice-driven integrations with companies providing navigation services including Bosch, mapping companies HERE and TomTom, Telenav and MELCO.
Later this month the company will also open sales of its in-car, aftermarket Echo Auto device in international markets starting with India on January 15.
It won’t be long until the trunk of your car will not only function as your storage space, store, and entertainment center but your bank and financial advisor as well. Until then, Amazon, Google, Apple and others are continuing to battle it out in the payments space in-car, in-home, and online.
LET’S CONNECT