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Car audio control technology has been around for years. However, until recently, drivers had to know the correct technical commands to talk to their car. With Alexa, automatic voice control becomes intuitive.
Here’s the ultimate guide to Alexa in the car: which cars have it, what it does, and other options for getting Alexa technology in your car.
Alexa Auto Skills: What Can It Do?
Built into the central dashboard of a long list of cars, Alexa Auto is here to make your journey smarter. Cars that don’t have Alexa built-in can buy standalone devices with the Alexa Echo and connect them to their vehicles.
Alexa Auto does everything the Echo home device can do. In short, Alexa Auto is a voice-controlled virtual assistant like Google Home, Apple Siri or Samsung Bixby. It can handle a long list of tasks, and best of all, users who talk to Alexa don’t need any technical skills. Once Alexa Auto is online, it will be a versatile automotive tool.
With Alexa Auto, users can:
- Can lock/unlock car doors remotely.
- Start/stop the engine.
- Find out about fuel levels and more.
- Play music, video, audio podcasts or audiobooks.
- Get directions and navigate to a destination.
- Make calls and send messages.
- Control your smart home: from alarms to garage doors, lights or more.
- Links to Amazon Music Unlimited, iHeartRadio, Pandora, TuneIn and more.
- Check news and calendar.
- Create to-do lists or grocery lists.
- Shop on Amazon.
- Check market shares.
- Check the weather.
- Ask random questions.
- Interface with an Alexa home device to control your smart home.
Which Cars Have Alexa Automated?
Like Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa Auto is now integrated into many cars across different car brands and models. From new vehicles to 2016 models, Alexa Auto integration has gone mainstream as it tries to compete with voice technologies like Google’s Android Auto, which lets you access Android in the car.
Car brands with built-in Amazon Alexa Auto:
- Alfa Romeo
- Od
- BMW
- Buick
- Cadillac
- Chevrolet
- Chrysler
- Dodge
- Ford
- GMC
- Jaguar
- Jeep
- Lamborghini
- Land Rover
- Lexus
- Lincoln
- Lucid
- Maserati
- Small copper
- Random Access Memory
- Rivian
- Toyota
- Wagoner
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 an Alexa app integrated into their multimedia system. These are connected through a smartphone. Alexa wants a connection that costs $10 to $20 a month.
Check out Amazon’s Vehicles with Alexa page for a complete model list with Alexa Auto and tech integration details for each brand.
My car is not on the list. How do I get Alexa Auto?
If your car is not on the list, don’t 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 a page listing more than 30 options for automotive devices with Alexa built-in, from the classic Amazon Echo Auto to Garmin GPS with Echo Auto installed, digital auto dashboards, entertainment centers and Auto Anchors.
Automotive devices with built-in Alexa vary in price and technology. All require connectivity and can complete the same tasks as Alexa. These devices cost anywhere from under $20 to over $400. Users can get them at special prices through Amazon’s discount deals and events, such as the annual Prime Day event. For example, in 2021, Amazon Echo Auto was sold for just $19.99 on Prime Day.
Alexa automation tools are part of Amazon’s strategy and product suite to keep consumers connected. Amazon has always been aware of Alexa’s limitations. As millions of people use Alexa to automate after leaving their homes, the connection is lost.
Other interesting Amazon Alexa devices, while not expressly designed for driving, allow users to stay connected. These are Echo Frames 2nd generation, smart glasses with built-in Ear Audio and Alexa, and Amazon Echo Buds.
How to connect 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 difference is where they are installed. Alexa Auto refers to the built-in version in your car, while Echo Auto refers to a small device with similar features that you can use in any car. So while the terminology may change a bit, the process of connecting it to your car or smartphone is very similar.
Amazon Echo Auto can connect to your car via Bluetooth. Older vehicle models without Bluetooth can still connect to the Echo device with the 3.5mm cable that came with it. You need to have your smartphone in hand to connect the Echo. Echo requires smartphone connectivity, so this is important. Also, the Alexa app must be installed on your phone.
To connect to Amazon Echo Auto:
- Download, install, and sign in to the Alexa app.
- Grant the Alexa app permissions.
- Plug your Eco Auto into a USB charger or charge it using a 12V power supply.
- Once the orange light on the front of the device lights up, the Echo is ready to connect.
- Open Alexa on your smartphone. Go to Tools > Add.
- From the menu, select Device > Amazon Echo > Add Echo Auto
- Follow the instructions in the app. These will guide you through the process.
The app will guide you to connect the Echo device via Bluetooth or use a 3.5mm cable during the final instructions. These simple steps are all it takes to connect an Echo Auto device to your car.
How Alexa Auto works
Alexa automatic voice control is very simple and intuitive. You don’t need to read complicated user guides to learn how to do everything Alexa can do.
To play music, a driver just needs to say, “Alexa, play music,” and Alexa will do it for them. Users can also be more specific, for example, by saying “Alexa, my favorite music” or “Alexa, play music from the 1990s”. The same functions work for all Alexa skills.
If you want to lock your front door or turn off the lights and you have a smart lock, just say “Alexa, lock the front door” and Alexa will take care of the rest. This hands-free audio technology is especially useful when trying to get things done while driving.
You can tell Alexa to add items to your grocery list, call someone, find them, and even ask them random questions, all without any special order.
The future of in-car audio tech
Alexa has evolved rapidly since 2014. However, Amazon is not the only player in this sector. Companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft, Samsung and car brands are investing billions in voice technology.
Tens of millions of people around the world use voice technology in their daily lives. It powers smart homes, smart phones or smart watches while on the go. So it’s only natural that the technology is built into every vehicle.
From the beginning, Amazon’s main goal was to build a community beyond Alexa. Like many other technology companies, they envision voice technology woven into every aspect of our modern lives. Alexa has become a trusted, smart companion in millions of homes, and in-car audio technology, where hands-free is a must, is inevitable.
Every car maker knows that the future of the automotive industry is self-driving and advanced information technology. In the future, car occupants will use voice technology to tell the car where to drive and how to drive, and the car will take over from there. Users get all the information and entertainment they need for travel through voice technology. Furthermore, remote control of homes, businesses or other devices is also an inevitable part of the future.
Voice commands in the car 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 your smartphone) using just your voice, you’re less likely to take your hands off the wheel, drawing attention to the screen.
And while Amazon Alexa Auto isn’t the only option on the market, it’s one of the best in-car voice assistants on the market because you can take it everywhere you go!
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