Cerence Teams Up with LG to Develop New In-Car Voice Assistant

Cerence is teaming up with LG Electronics to give drivers more control over the in-car experience. The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that attests to their plan to develop a software solution that blends Cerence ARK (AI Reference Kit) with LG’s webOS Auto platform.

Cerence ARK is a voice assistant that allows drivers to control various automotive features – including navigation and media content – with simple voice commands. LG’s webOS Auto, meanwhile, is a Linux-based In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) platform designed specifically for connected cars.

Together, the two companies will seek to provide auto manufacturers with a full-stack infotainment system that can essentially be installed right out of the box. The two companies are hoping that their joint solution will be more comprehensive and more efficient than either would be on its own, thereby making it easier to deploy, and allowing car makers to get the system onto the road more quickly.

“This new offering will support automakers and tier-one suppliers as they speed the time to market,” said Cerence CEO Sanjay Dhawan.

In December, Cerence released a localized version of Cerence ARK that was designed specifically for the Chinese market. The company has since unveiled a new smart windshield with gesture recognition capabilities. LG has recently been focused on AI, most notably with a CES presentation that detailed the four stages of AI development.