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Alibaba Inks Digital Assistant Deals with Audi, Daimler, Volvo

Chinese tech giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. says it will supply its personal assistant technology to Audi, Daimler and Volvo operations in China.

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Chinese tech giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. says it will supply its personal assistant technology to Audi, Daimler and Volvo operations in China.

Dubbed AI + Car, the system synchs Alibaba’s home-based Tmall Genie with an owner’s vehicle. This allows users to remotely access certain vehicle functions and information.

Alphabet Inc. and Amazon.com offer similar integration through their Google Home Assistant and Alexa voice-enabled personal assistants.

Alibaba developed its system through its artificial intelligence unit, A.I. Labs. The technology allows users to remotely start their car, unlock and lock doors, flash the lights, preset the climate control and audio systems, monitor the fuel level and track their vehicle’s location.

Customers also can perform diagnostic checks on the car's engine and battery. Natural language voice commands can be used to interact with the vehicle’s navigation and infotainment systems.

Alibaba, which has been described as China’s Amazon, also has development agreements with Ford, Honda, SAIC Motor and several other carmakers on various connected car technologies. Last year Alibaba invested in Chinese electric-car startup Xiaopeng Motors.

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