Auto voice control technology has been around for years. However, until recently, drivers had to know the exact technical commands to speak to their car. With Alexa, auto voice control became intuitive.
Here's the ultimate guide on Alexa Auto: which cars have it, what it does, and other options to get Alexa tech in your car.
Alexa Auto Skills: What It Can Do?
Alexa Auto, built into the central dashboard of a long list of cars, is all about making your ride smart. Those cars that do not have built-in Alexa can buy stand-alone devices with Alexa Echo and link to their vehicles.
Alexa Auto does almost everything the Echo home device can do. In short, Alexa Auto is a voice-controlled virtual assistant, just like Google Home, Apple's Siri, or Samsung's Bixby. It can handle a long list of tasks, and, more importantly, users talking to Alexa do not need any technical skills. Once Alexa Auto is online, it becomes a versatile automotive tool.
With Alexa Auto, users can:
- Can remotely lock/unlock car doors.
- Start/stop the engine.
- Get info on fuel levels, and more.
- Play music, video, audio podcast, or audiobooks.
- Get directions and navigate to a destination.
- Place calls and send messages.
- Control a smart home: From alarms to garage doors, lights, or more.
- Links to Amazon Music Unlimited, iHeartRadio, Pandora, TuneIn, and others.
- Check news and calendar.
- Create to-do lists or grocery lists.
- Shop on Amazon.
- Check market stocks.
- Check the weather.
- Ask random questions.
- Interface with an Alexa home device to control your smart home.
Which Cars Have Alexa Auto Built-In?
Just like Apple's CarPlay, which comes in different car brands and models, Amazon Alexa Auto is now integrated into many cars. From new vehicles to 2016 models, the Alexa Auto integration has gone mainstream as it tries to compete with other voice tech like Google's Android Auto, which lets you access Android in the car.
Car brands that have built-in Amazon Alexa Auto are:
- Alfa Romeo
- Audi
- BMW
- Buick
- Cadillac
- Chevrolet
- Chrysler
- Dodge
- Ford
- GMC
- Jaguar
- Jeep
- Lamborghini
- Land Rover
- Lexus
- Lincoln
- Lucid
- Maserati
- Mini Copper
- RAM
- Rivian
- Toyota
- Wagoneer
Depending on the car and model, Alexa Auto comes fully integrated—built into the dashboard multimedia system, and uses the in-car screen, microphones, and speakers—like BMW or GM. Other car brands, like Toyota, have Alexa as an app integrated into the multimedia system. These connect via smartphone. Alexa does require connectivity which can cost $10 to $20 a month.
For a complete list of the models for each brand with Alexa Auto and technical integration details, check out Amazon's Vehicles with Alexa page.
My Car Is Not on the List. How Do I Get Alexa Auto?
If your car is not on the list, there is no need to worry. There are several ways you can get Alexa Auto in your vehicle. Portable Alexa Auto options are not always expensive and can be used in any vehicle.
Amazon has an Automotive Devices with Alexa Built-in page that lists more than 30 options, from the classic Amazon Echo Auto to Garmin GPS with Echo Auto installed, digital auto dashboards, entertainment centers, and Auto Ankers.
Automotive devices with Alexa built-in vary in price and technology. They all require connectivity and can complete the same tasks as Alexa Auto. These devices cost from under $20 to over $400. Users can also get them for special prices through Amazon discount offers and events, such as the annual Prime Day event. For example, in 2021, the Amazon Echo Auto sold out at a price of just $19.99 during Prime Day.
Alexa Auto devices are part of Amazon's strategy and suite of products for users never to lose connection. Amazon has always been aware of the limitations of Alexa. While millions of people use Alexa to automate their homes once they leave it, the connection is lost.
Other interesting Amazon Alexa devices, while not explicitly designed for driving, allow users to keep connected. These are the Echo Frames 2nd Generation, smart glasses with open-ear audio and Alexa built-in, and the Amazon Echo buds.
How To Link Amazon Alexa Auto or Alexa Echo Auto to Your Car
Wait, there are two different Amazon Auto products? That's right, but they work very similarly. The only real difference is where they're installed. Alexa Auto refers to the built-in version already present in your car, while Echo Auto typically refers to a small device with the same features that you can use in any car. So while the terminology may change a little, the process of connecting them to your car or smartphone is very similar.
Amazon Echo Auto can be connected to your car via Bluetooth. Older vehicle models that do not have Bluetooth can still connect it through a 3.5mm cable that comes with the Echo device. To link Echo, you need to have your smartphone at hand. Echo requires a smartphone connection, so this is essential. Additionally, the Alexa app must be installed on your phone.
To link to Amazon Echo Auto:
- Download, install, and sign in to the Alexa app.
- Grant the Alexa app permissions.
- Plug your Echo Auto to a USB charger or charge it using the 12V power supply.
- Once an orange light in the front of the device lights up the Echo is ready to connect.
- Open Alexa on your smartphone. Go to devices > Add.
- From the menu, select Add Device > Amazon Echo > Echo Auto.
- Follow the instructions in the app. These will guide you through the process.
The app will guide you on connecting the Echo device via Bluetooth or using the 3.5mm cable during the final instructions. These simple steps is all it takes to connect an Echo Auto device to your car.
How Alexa Auto Works
Alexa Auto voice control is pretty straightforward and intuitive. There is no need to read complex user manuals to know how to do all the things Alexa can do.
To play music, a driver only needs to say, "Alexa, play music," and Alexa will do it for them. Users can also be more specific, for example, by saying, "Alexa, play my favorite music," or "Alexa, play music from the 1990s". The same functions work for all Alexa skills.
If you forget to lock the front door of your house or turn off the lights, and you have a smart lock, just say, "Alexa, lock the front door," and Alexa takes care of the rest. This hands-free voice technology is especially useful when trying to do things while driving.
You can tell Alexa to add items to your grocery list, call someone, find and even ask random questions, all without the need of any special command.
The Future of In-Car Voice Tech
Alexa has evolved rapidly since 2014. However, Amazon is not the only player in this sector. Companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft, Samsung, and even car brands are investing billions in voice technology.
Tens of millions of people worldwide use voice technology in their daily lives. It powers smart homes, smartphones, or smartwatches on the go. So it is only natural that the technology will be built into every vehicle.
Since the start, Amazon's primary goal has been to build a community beyond Alexa. Like other tech companies, they envision voice technology weaved into every aspect of our modern life. Alexa has become a faithful, smart companion for millions of homes, and voice technology in cars, where hands-free is a must, is inevitable.
Every carmaker knows that the future of the automotive industry is self-driving and enhanced infotainment technology. In the future, car passengers will use voice technology to tell the car where to drive and how to drive, and the car will take it from there. Users will also get all the info and entertainment they need for the ride through voice technology. Furthermore, remote control of houses, businesses, or other devices, is also an inevitable part of the future.
In-Car Voice Commands Help You Focus On Driving
The real beauty of in-car voice commands and voice assistants like Amazon Auto is that they help you keep your eyes on the road while driving. When you can control your infotainment or other entertainment options (like a smartphone) using just your voice, you're less likely to remove your hands from the wheel, straying towards the distraction of a screen.
And while Amazon Alexa Auto isn't the only option on the market, it's certainly one of the best in-car voice assistants on the market, not least as you can take it wherever you go!
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