Alibaba's Car AI Will Let You Book Hotels, Order Food and Pay via Voice

System will run on Nvidia-powered automotive chips and combine on-device and cloud computing to interpret voice commands and execute multi-step tasks such as ordering food, booking hotels, buying tickets and tracking deliveries, as Chinese carmakers integrate the model across brands including BYD and a Volkswagen joint venture to compete through software, services and user experience in a slowing electric vehicle market

Alibaba announced Friday its Qwen artificial intelligence model will be integrated into vehicles from several Chinese automakers, including BYD and a local joint venture of Volkswagen, as the industry ramps up in-car digital services to compete in a slowing electric vehicle market.

The model will run on Nvidia’s automotive chip system and is designed to function even with limited network connectivity, the company said at the Beijing Auto Show.

Alibaba said select models will allow drivers to order food delivery, book hotels, buy attraction tickets and track packages through voice commands.

The system combines on-device processing with cloud-based computing to interpret voice inputs, plan multi-step tasks and connect to services such as payments and navigation.

Automakers set to integrate Qwen into their vehicle systems include Geely, Li Auto, Changan Automobile, Dongfeng Motor, BAIC Group, Great Wall Motor and SAIC Motor, including its Volkswagen joint venture and IM Motors unit.

Earlier this year, FAW Group’s Hongqi brand integrated Qwen into its in-car system, debuting in the Hongqi HS6 plug-in hybrid model.

The rollout comes as Chinese automakers seek to attract buyers by adding software-driven features, amid moderating growth in the electric vehicle market.

A China-specific version of Audi said its second model, an electric SUV called the E7X, will begin presales on May 8. The vehicle will incorporate artificial intelligence features from ByteDance’s Doubao and iFlyTek, Audi said at the auto show.

It was not immediately clear whether these AI features would be available in vehicles exported outside China.

Cadillac, the luxury division of General Motors, also showcased a new model with voice assistant capabilities that can connect with ByteDance’s Doubao AI.

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Faustine Ngila

Faustine Ngila is the AI Editor at Impact Newswire, based in Nairobi, Kenya. He is an award-winning journalist specializing in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and emerging technologies.

He previously worked as a global technology reporter at Quartz in New York and Digital Frontier in London, where he covered innovation, startups, and the global digital economy.

With years of experience reporting on cutting-edge technologies, Faustine focuses on AI developments, industry trends, and the impact of technology on society.