Volkswagen, in partnership with Bosch, is revolutionizing the landscape of electric vehicle (EV) parking and charging. The two German giants are testing an autonomous system that not only navigates EVs to available parking spaces equipped with chargers but also employs charging robots for automated recharging. This innovative technology, currently being trialed at Cariad and Bosch parking lots in Germany, aims to tackle issues like long queues at charging stations and manual cable handling.
Cariad, a software company under Volkswagen’s wing, and Bosch aim to streamline EV parking and charging, paving the way for an efficient and automated future. The system directs driverless EVs to designated parking spaces with chargers, where charging robots seamlessly handle the recharging process. Once charged, the EV autonomously relocates to another open parking space, allowing the charging robot to assist another electric vehicle. This ambitious project marks a significant step forward in optimizing the EV user experience.
Simultaneously, VW is set to deploy OpenAI’s ChatGPT in its vehicles, starting from the second quarter of 2024. This cutting-edge chatbot integration is designed to enhance VW’s in-car voice assistant, IDA (Intelligent Drive Assistant). Available across all VW models, including popular ones like Tiguan, Passat, Golf, and the ID family of electric vehicles, ChatGPT will enable more naturalistic communication between the car and the driver.
Volkswagen promises a user-friendly experience, emphasizing that no new accounts or app installations are required. Activation is as simple as a friendly greeting or a button press on the steering wheel. VW assures data privacy by deleting questions and answers promptly, ensuring that OpenAI doesn’t access driving statistics. The integration aims to make car-to-driver communication seamless, allowing owners to control basic functions and seek answers to general queries with ease. As VW propels into the future, these advancements signify a bold stride toward intelligent, user-centric automotive technology.
