"Very well Michael.." echoed the sentient car KITT from the 80s show Knight Rider, symbolizing a futuristic blend of man and machine. Fast forward to today, voice assistants have become an integral part of the automotive landscape, with a staggering 124.8 million individuals in the USA using In-Car Voice Assistants as of 2022. Car manufacturers are now fighting to find the new trend that will lead to innovation in the automotive industry. An innovation that will create a bond between a new tech-savvy generation of drivers seeking to be close to their favorite brand. This is why giving a face to an actual voice assistant emerges as the logical evolution to enhance the overall driver experience, transforming a vehicle from a cold machine into a marvelous companion.

The Case for Visual Interaction

The eloquence of a message often lies beyond mere words. As the adage goes, communication is 7% verbal, 38% tonal, and a whopping 55% visual. Voice assistants, despite their prowess, are bound by the auditory realm, leaving a significant facet of interaction unexplored. Enter Digital Avatar Assistants—melding Conversational AI with expressive animation to bridge the visual-verbal chasm, fostering a profound emotional connection with the user.

In-Cabin Experiences

Modern vehicles now feature expansive screens that offer more than just a sleek aesthetic appeal—they serve as the canvas where digital avatars come to life. Imagine an interactive co-pilot, whose gestures, facial expressions, and comforting tone assist, educate, or even amuse the driver, turning ordinary drives into delightful journeys. These digital companions are adept at providing real-time diagnostic advice, and can even guide a tire change through visual demonstrations, effortlessly blending expertise with empathy.

They prioritize user experience, lending a human touch to the machine, and introducing an innovative way for drivers to communicate with their vehicles through user-friendly human-machine interactions (HMI). This fusion of technology with emotion not only enhances driver satisfaction but also paves the way for a more intuitive and engaging driving experience.

Beyond the Steering Wheel

The engagement with a brand doesn't halt at the car's ignition; it unfolds into various realms of our daily routine. The Digital Brand Ambassador transcends the vehicle's confines, extending interactions to social media, virtual showrooms, and the smart ecosystem of your home. These avatars, embodying the brand's ethos, create a continuous narrative that keeps consumers engaged, especially resonating with the tech-savvy Gen Z who are drawn towards personalized interactions. The digital co-pilot steps into your living space, melds with your IoT devices, and morphs into a daily digital companion.

Case Spotlight: Renault's 'Reno' Avatar

At the 2022 Paris Motor Show, Renault unveiled 'Reno,' a digital co-pilot designed to enrich the in-vehicle experience in their next-generation electric lineup. Leveraging SPooN technologies, an interactive 3D character was created, melding with Cerence's voice assistant technologies. Described as a humanized co-pilot, Reno aims to make the digital experience more immersive on board Renault vehicles. Reno will be integrated into the OpenR Link infotainment system on Renault electric cars sold from 2024, as well as in a dedicated application that is already available on iOS and Android, providing access to exclusive brand content.

The automotive industry stands at the cusp of a digital renaissance. As cars morph into smart, personalized companions, the fusion of Conversational AI with Digital Avatars is steering the journey. The road ahead promises an enriching, human-centric automotive experience, reminiscent of the whimsical yet profound interaction of Michael and KITT from yesteryears.

SPooN technologies

At SPooN, we are pioneering this transformative shift. Our goal is to create interactive characters that can be adopted in a wide variety of social environments, enhancing human interaction and connection in both digital and virtual realms. Our team of experts from the robotics and 3D animation industry focuses on giving these robots a body, a face, and a smile to turn them into marvelous avatars that can engage with users in a natural and authentic way. We work to ensure that these avatars can make users feel like they exist in their eyes, interacting in real time as well as adopting human-like expressions and behavioral patterns, including emotions.