Volkswagen (VW) and Bosch are collaborating on a groundbreaking project, testing an autonomous parking and charging system for electric cars. The initiative aims to redefine parking dynamics in large lots equipped with charging stations, combining automated parking with electric charging, streamlining the user experience.
Cariad, a VW-owned software company, and Bosch are conducting tests at two locations in Germany: the Cariad staff parking lot in Ingolstadt and the Bosch parking lot in Ludwigsburg. The system directs driverless electric cars to available parking spaces with charging stations, where a charging robot seamlessly initiates the charging process. Once charged, the EV autonomously moves to another open space, allowing the charging robot to service another electric car.
The technology addresses common challenges faced by EV users today, including long lines at charging stations, blocked charging spots due to delayed cable disconnection, and the manual handling of charging cables. The collaboration leverages the expertise of both companies, building on previous autonomous parking and charging experiments.
In a parallel development, VW is set to introduce OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its vehicles, commencing in the second quarter of 2024. ChatGPT will be integrated into all VW models, spanning from conventional vehicles like the Tiguan, Passat, and Golf to the ID family of electric vehicles. Initially launching in Europe, the feature will later extend to customers in the United States.
VW intends to enhance its in-car voice assistant, IDA, using ChatGPT for more natural and intuitive communication between the car and the driver. Vehicle owners can employ the voice assistant to control essential functions such as climate control and seek answers to general queries. Importantly, VW emphasizes user convenience by avoiding mandatory account creation or app installations. Activation is as simple as a greeting or a button press on the steering wheel, with data protection a priority – questions and answers are promptly deleted to safeguard user privacy. As VW and Bosch push the boundaries of EV technology, the integration of ChatGPT promises a more engaging and user-friendly in-car experience.