Key Takeaways
1. Tesla’s in-car voice commands have been upgraded to sophisticated AI assistants capable of managing various tasks.
2. In China, Tesla’s AI assistant uses local chatbots like DeepSeek instead of Grok due to regulations.
3. The new Model Y L features a three-row SUV design, enhancing the AI assistant’s usability for all passengers.
4. The “Hey, Tesla” wake phrase enables spatial awareness, allowing passengers to interact with the AI assistant based on their seating position.
5. The AI assistant can recognize which seat activated it, preventing accidental commands and improving user experience.
Tesla has upgraded its in-car voice commands to sophisticated AI assistants capable of engaging in conversations and managing tasks like adjusting windows or controlling the air conditioning.
Local Partnerships in China
In China, Tesla’s AI assistant doesn’t utilize Grok due to local regulations. Instead, the company has teamed up with domestic chatbots that are powered by unique generative AI models, such as DeepSeek.
Introduction of Model Y L
With the launch of its first genuine three-row SUV, the larger Model Y L, which may only be available in China, Tesla is demonstrating the innovative ways its AI assistant can be helpful.
For passengers seated in the third row, who are far from the car’s touchscreens, operating the A/C, changing songs, or checking the weather can be a challenge. To address this, Tesla has introduced a new wake phrase that activates the virtual AI assistant, allowing everyone in the vehicle to engage in informative discussions or use voice commands for various functions.
The Wake Word Feature
Similar to other virtual assistant services like Google or Alexa, the phrase “Hey, Tesla” has been added to the Model Y L in China to trigger the localized AI assistant.
What sets this apart is that the “Hey, Tesla” phrase incorporates spatial awareness for each seat in the car, as illustrated at the 6:00 minute mark in the Model Y L video review below. For example, kids in the third row can wake the chatbot, but they can’t issue commands if that option is disabled in the settings. This prevents drivers of the Model Y L from facing sudden changes in destination or accidental music skips, which are common with children.
The AI assistant can also identify which seat activated it and continue conversations or respond to other passengers. The new spatial awareness features are integrated into a Voice Recognition menu that enables the Model Y L to listen and respond continuously, even without hearing the wake word, similar to how an Amazon Echo smart speaker operates.
The “Hey, Tesla” command is likely to be added to the Grok assistant used in U.S. vehicles eventually, but for now, Tesla has concluded that the larger Model Y L with its three rows of seats will gain the most from this new wake phrase.
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