5 best in-car voice control systems that make driving easier

Today’s best in-car voice assistants can control navigation, climate settings and entertainment, making every drive safer and more convenient. These five lead the way.

Modern in-car voice assistants can do far more than change the radio station. Using AI and natural language processing, they can control navigation, climate settings and vehicle functions while helping you keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

But which systems are the best? Here are five of the most impressive systems available today.

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1. BMW iDrive Intelligent Personal Assistant

Activated by saying “Hey BMW” or pressing the steering wheel voice control button, BMW’s iDrive assistant is one of the most capable systems on the market.

It responds quickly to natural speech and can control everything from navigation and climate settings to suspension and electric range functions.

2. Mercedes-Benz MBUX

With a simple “Hey Mercedes”, Mercedes’ MBUX assistant can handle navigation, communications and vehicle controls using natural language.

Its predictive AI capabilities means it can learn your routines over time and can proactively suggest actions such as calling regular contacts or navigating to frequently visited destinations.

3. Volkswagen IDA Assistant

Volkswagen’s IDA Assistant is activated by saying “Hello Volkswagen” or “Hello IDA” and is designed to understand conversational requests rather than rigid commands.

It can adjust climate settings, drive modes and ambient lighting, while selected models also benefit from ChatGPT integration, allowing you to ask general questions, hear news updates and access information beyond the vehicle itself.

4. Skoda’s Laura with ChatGPT

By saying “Ok Laura” in a Skoda, its voice assistant can take care of everything from navigation to climate control.

Integrated ChatGPT technology also enables Laura to handle more complex queries, including general information requests and travel-related suggestions.

5. MINI Intelligent Personal Assistant (Spike)

MINI’s Intelligent Personal Assistant can be activated through the steering wheel voice-control button or by speaking directly to the system.

Sharing its underlying technology with BMW’s voice assistant, it can manage navigation, entertainment and vehicle settings through natural language commands.

A distinctive feature is “Spike”, a digital bulldog avatar displayed on MINI’s circular OLED screen, which serves as the assistant’s visual interface.

Google Assistant is also a great tool

The five assistants above are the most impressive manufacturer systems, but you’ll find better results when you just let the likes of Google do all the hard work for you.

Google Assistant is a built-in feature of the Android Automotive operating system used by several manufacturers such as Renault, Nissan and Volvo: this allows you to navigate, manage calls and texts, and control car features without taking your hands off the wheel, and by simply saying “Hey Google”.

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