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World premiere at CES: Volkswagen integrates ChatGPT into its autos
- VW presents new performance in cooperation with know-how companion Cerence on the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas (USA)
- Current MEB and MQB evo fashions from VW Group manufacturers that use the IDA voice assistant may have entry to automotive-grade ChatGPT integration through Cerence Chat Pro
- Personal information is protected: ChatGPT doesn’t achieve entry to car data
At CES 2024, the world’s main electronics commerce honest held from 9 to 12 January, Volkswagen will current the primary autos through which the artificial-intelligence-based chatbot ChatGPT is built-in into its IDA voice assistant. In future, prospects may have seamless entry to the consistently rising synthetic intelligence database in all Volkswagen fashions geared up with the IDA voice assistant and have researched content material learn out to them whereas driving. Cerence Chat Pro from know-how companion Cerence Inc. is the inspiration of the brand new perform, which gives a uniquely clever, automotive-grade ChatGPT integration. Volkswagen would be the first quantity producer to supply Chat GPT as a typical characteristic from the second quarter of 2024 in lots of manufacturing autos.
The new chatbot is obtainable along side the most recent era of infotainment within the following fashions: ID.7, ID.4, ID.5, ID.3, the all-new Tiguan and the all-new Passat, in addition to within the new Golf. Enabled by Cerence Chat Pro, the combination of ChatGPT into the backend of the Volkswagen voice assistant gives a large number of recent capabilities that go far past the earlier voice management. For instance, the IDA voice assistant can be utilized to regulate the infotainment, navigation, and air con, or to reply normal data questions. In the longer term, AI will present extra data in response to questions that transcend this as a part of its constantly increasing capabilities. This will be useful on many ranges throughout a automotive journey: Enriching conversations, clearing up questions, interacting in intuitive language, receiving vehicle-specific data, and rather more – purely hands-free.
ChatGPT is seamlessly built-in into the IDA voice assistant.
Nothing modifications for the particular person behind the wheel. There isn’t any have to create a brand new account, set up a brand new app or activate ChatGPT: The voice assistant is activated by saying “Hello IDA” or urgent the button on the steering wheel. IDA robotically prioritises whether or not a car perform ought to be executed, a vacation spot searched or the temperature adjusted. If the request can’t be answered by the Volkswagen system, it’s forwarded anonymously to AI and the acquainted Volkswagen voice responds.
ChatGPT doesn’t achieve entry to any car information; questions and solutions are deleted instantly to make sure the best doable degree of knowledge safety. This is facilitated by Cerence Chat Pro, which leverages a large number of sources, together with ChatGPT, to allow IDA to offer correct and related responses to almost each question possible. The characteristic additionally prioritises safety and seamless integration with IDA’s myriad capabilities, delivering ease of use for drivers.
The ID.7 can even provide the chatbot based mostly on synthetic intelligence.
“Volkswagen has always democratised technology and made it accessible to the many. This is simply ingrained in our DNA. As a result, we are now the first volume manufacturer to make this innovative technology a standard feature in vehicles from the compact segment upwards. Thanks to the seamless integration of ChatGPT and strong collaboration with our partner, Cerence, we are offering our drivers added value and direct access to the AI-based research tool. This also underlines the innovative strength of our new products,” says Kai Grünitz, Member of the Board of Management Volkswagen Brand for technical Development.
The new Golf will be seen with camouflage on the CES.
“We are proud to build on our automotive expertise and our long-standing partnership with Volkswagen to offer its customers new innovations that leverage generative AI and large language models – even after they have purchased a vehicle,” says Stefan Ortmanns, CEO of Cerence. “With Cerence Chat Pro, VW is empowered with an automotive-grade ChatGPT integration that gives unmatched flexibility, customisation, and ease of deployment, whereas prioritising safety and value for drivers. As we glance to the longer term, collectively Volkswagen and Cerence will discover collaboration to design a brand new, large-language-model-based (LLM) consumer expertise as the inspiration of Volkswagen’s next-generation in-car assistant.”
Recording press occasion at CES 2024 on Monday, January 8
The ID.7: sophisticated aerodynamics for long range and high efficiency
- Streamlined design should make ranges of up to 700 kilometres (WLTP) possible
- Close cooperation between developers and designers leads to a drag coefficient (Cd value) of 0.23
- Fine tuning in computer simulations and in the wind tunnel
The ID.7 is the first electric model from Volkswagen for the upper mid-sized class. With a range of up to 700 kilometres (WLTP), the Volkswagen limousine is an efficiency champion. In addition to a new drive generation, sophisticated aerodynamics contribute to the ID.7’s long ranges. The aerodynamically favourable basic form, low drag coefficient (Cd value) of 0.23 and frontal area of 2.46 m² are the result of close cooperation between the Design and Development departments.
With limousines like the ID.7, the body shape accounts for about 50 per cent of the Cd value. The wheels and tyres influence about 30 per cent, the underfloor 10 per cent, and the functional openings through which air flows to the radiators in the vehicle front end, for example, also 10 per cent. The fact that the new ID.7 is the most aerodynamic ID. model so far can be seen at first glance when looking at the silhouette of the vehicle, which is almost five metres long. Volkswagen designer Daniel Scharfschwerdt says: “When designing the ID.7, there was a greater focus on aerodynamics than for practically any other model. This can be seen in the low front end, the flowing transition into the bonnet, and the fast windscreen. The coupé-like roof form and the tapering rear end are also designed for ideal aerodynamic performance.”
Even in the early stages of product development, intensive work was carried out on the exterior design, as well as on the underbody, wheels and other fine details. The prerequisite for optimal results is close collaboration between developers and designers. Stephan Lansmann, project engineer responsible for ID.7 aerodynamics: “We strive for ideal solutions in an iterative process, which includes regular consultation between the Development and Design departments. There are many small steps here that pay off in the end. Numerous computer simulations for flow calculation are complemented by tests in a wind tunnel as part of this process.”
The aerodynamic strengths of the ID.7
The ID.7 has an almost completely closed underbody. This is supplemented by newly developed wheel spoilers on the front wheels. These guide the air along the wheels under the vehicle with minimum turbulence. Air curtains at the sides of the front bumper direct the air around the vehicles front end with minimum loss. The flared side sills prevent the air from flowing into the underbody area and shield the rear tyres from air flowing onto them. In addition, small spoilers and trim panels guide the flow of air on the underbody.
“On electric vehicles, the wheels make a greater contribution to good aerodynamics, and we therefore focused on them in particular,” says Lansmann. “When designing the wheel rims, the primary focus was on the aerodynamics, which we also had to match to the cooling requirements of the brakes,” explains the expert. “The resultant wheel rims are more closed and therefore have especially good aerodynamic properties.” Flow simulations were also used when designing the tyre contours. This meant it was already possible to optimise variants with less good aerodynamic characteristics during the concept phase.
Other areas were also taken into account in the holistic aerodynamic development process. These include the functional openings at the front, for example, through which air flows to the radiators in the vehicle front end. In the ID.7, the air flow is actively controlled by a radiator roller blind in order to reduce the drag. The electrically operated roller blind opens only when targeted cooling of the power units and battery is required. At the rear, aerodynamic efficiency is ensured by the ideally shaped tailgate and the design of the diffuser and side separation edges.
From computer to wind tunnel
The initial focus is on computer simulations. “Work only takes place virtually in the first year of development, with updates about every two weeks,” says Lansmann. The design team supplies CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. Several thousand processors then calculate the air flow values, also for numerous details like the flush-recessed door handles and the aerodynamically designed mirrors of the ID.7. “We go into the wind tunnel only when the design is stable. That can take a good one and a half years from the start of development,” says the development engineer.
The team used Volkswagen clay models in the original size of the ID.7 in the wind tunnel. The new findings are implemented on the model using a milling cutter with millimetre precision – for example, in the event of changes to the rear and to the separation edges. With the help of the prototype parts from the 3D printer, Stephan Lansmann’s team tested numerous variants – also for the aerodynamically shaped exterior mirrors, for example. On the ID.7, this process allowed them to optimise the upper and lower mirror housing sections and mirror base to achieve a lower drag coefficient with outstanding aerodynamic properties. The result of this detailed work is a Cd value of 0.23, the best drag coefficient of the entire Volkswagen ID. family.
Volkswagen: Brand Group Volume doubles operating profit in first quarter 2023
The Volkswagen Group’s Brand Group Volume further strengthened the close cooperation between the sister brands Volkswagen, Škoda, SEAT/CUPRA and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in the first quarter of 2023. To take account of this successful development and the significance of the Brand Group Volume in the ongoing transformation of the Volkswagen Group, the four volume brands are publishing their key financial metrics for the first time in a Brand Group Volume quarterly report.
The brand group’s positive development towards greater efficiency and profitability in the volume segment is reflected in particular by the operating profit before special items, which doubled compared with the prior-year quarter, coming in at EUR 1.74 billion (Q1 2022: EUR 0.88 billion), and by a sharp increase in the Brand Group Volume’s operating return on sales from 3.6 percent in the first quarter of the previous year to 5.3 percent in Q1/23. There was also a sharp increase in consolidated sales revenue, which grew 36 percent to EUR 33.16 billion (Q1 2022: EUR 24.36 billion), while net cash flow was EUR 1.7 billion (Q1 2022: EUR 0.5 billion), thus reflecting the good first-quarter performance.
Unit sales in the first quarter of 2023 increased 30 percent to 1.19 million vehicles (Q1 2022: 0.92 million vehicles). The full-electric model range accounts for an ever-larger share of deliveries. In total, the Brand Group Volume delivered 97,100 full-electric vehicles in the first quarter of the year, 49 percent more than in the prior-year quarter.
“Strong brands, lean engine room: targeted cooperation between the brands enabled us to expand existing synergies and scaling benefits in the past few months and at the same time increase our financial robustness and innovation strength. The Brand Group Volume’s key figures prove we are on the right track,” Thomas Schäfer, Member of the Volkswagen Group Board of Management in charge of the Brand Group Volume, said.
Overview of key figures for the Brand Group Volume:
|
Key figures |
Brand Group Volume Q1 2023 (+development) |
Brand Group Volume Q1 2022 |
|
Unit sales |
1,193,000 vehicles (+30 %) |
918,000 vehicles |
|
Sales revenue |
EUR 33.16 billion (+36 %) |
EUR 24.36 billion |
|
Operating profit before special items |
EUR 1.74 billion (+99 %) |
EUR 0.88 billion |
|
Operating return on sales before special items |
5.3 % (+1.7 %pp) |
3.6% |
|
Net cash flow |
EUR 1.7 billion |
EUR 0.5 billion |
Four strong brands lay basis for strong performance by Brand Group Volume
The convincing Q1 performance by the Brand Group Volume is also due to the successful development of the individual brands Volkswagen, Škoda, SEAT/CUPRA and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
The Volkswagen brand reported a slight upward trend in deliveries. The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand handed over a total of 1.02 million passenger cars to customers worldwide in the first quarter of 2023 (+ 0.9 percent). Full-electric vehicles accounted for a large share of this success: with unit sales of some 70,000 vehicles, the brand accounted for just under half of all BEVs delivered by the Group (+31.2 percent). Despite the challenging environment and persistent supply constraints, operating profit before special items in the first quarter of 2023 came in at EUR 608 million, an improvement on the figure for the prior-year quarter (EUR 513 million). Sales revenue rose from EUR 14.9 billion (Q1 2022) to EUR 20.5 billion (Q1 2023). This positive trend was in part offset by factors such as significantly higher material costs as well as exchange rate effects. As a result, the brand’s operating return on sales before special items in the first three months of the current fiscal year stood at 3.0 percent, 0.5 percentage points lower than the corresponding quarter in 2022.
Škoda Auto reported a strong first quarter and delivered 209.600 vehicles to customers worldwide (+12.6 percent). The all-electric Enyaq iV family was particularly successful, with deliveries rising by over 40 percent. The traditional Czech brand generated sales revenue of EUR 6.8 billion, up 33.3 percent on the same period in 2022. Operating profit before special items also increased by over 60 percent to EUR 542 million. At 8.0 percent, the return on sales was at a high level.
SEAT/CUPRA grew the number of electric vehicles delivered between January and March 2023 more than fourfold (+318.9 percent) to 9,200 units. Overall, SEAT/CUPRA delivered 125,218 vehicles in Q1/23.37 percent more than in the prior-year quarter (91,407), making this SEAT’s strongest first quarter ever. The company reported an operating profit of EUR 144 million for the period January – March 2023, an improvement of EUR 139 million on the first quarter of 2022. The operating return on sales in Q1/23 rose to 4.0 percent. Thanks to high demand and improved components supply, sales revenue increased to EUR 3.6 billion (+48.2 percent compared with the prior-year quarter).
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles continued the positive business trend of 2022 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023. Deliveries grew 18.7 percent to 97,189 vehicles. Q1/23 was the first full business quarter for the ID.Buzz since its market launch, lifting deliveries of all VWN BEV vehicles to 5,500 units (Q1 22: 700 BEVs). Sales revenue rose to just under EUR 3.6 billion, driven by positive pricing and mix effects. Even though the market and supplier situation remained tense, operating profit before special items soared to EUR 171 million (Q1/22: EUR 46 million). In line with these figures, the operating return on sales increased from 2 percent in the first quarter of the previous year to 4.8 percent.
Outlook
The Brand Group Volume is the crucial lever for financial robustness, synergies and innovation in the Volkswagen Group – and bolsters resilience against external challenges. Based on effective management of the Brand Group Volume with lean structures, the focus is on reducing complexity – and the systematic leveraging of existing synergy potential. The central performance indicator for Brand Group Volume is a consolidated operating return on sales of 8 percent from 2025. For the 2023 fiscal year, the brand group already expects a consolidated operating return on sales significantly higher than the 3.6 percent posted for 2022.