SAE TOMORROW TODAY: Conversational AI in the Passenger's Seat

Since the invention of the automobile, people have had an emotional connection to their driving experience. Cerence is capitalizing on that connection by bringing the consumer's digital life into the car, enabling intuitive and powerful interactions between the driver and their vehicle. Cerence Co-Pilot is a first-of-its kind, multi-modal driving experience that transforms the automotive voice assistant into a proactive, AI-powered companion. It analyzes voice, gaze, gesture, and touch to understand complex situations both inside and outside the vehicle. This new level of intelligence not only enhances comfort and convenience, but also improves safety. Cerence recently partnered with Mercedes-Benz in Germany to introduce Cerence Look, a revolutionary product that enables drivers and passengers to interact with points of interest outside the car. As Senior Vice President and General Manager of Core Products, Dr. Ir. Christophe Couvreur is responsible for Cerence's product management, working in lockstep with the company's R&D and professional services teams worldwide. We sat down with him to discuss the history of conversational AI, the impact of Cerence's technology, and how the company is extending interactions beyond voice into a multi-sensory experience. Through a charitable donation to the SAE Foundation, Cerence helps advance equitable STEM learning. And recently, Cerence team members judged an SAE contest for students. These initiatives ultimately build an inclusive, STEM-empowered workforce that will be key to the company's mission of creating the next generation of conversational AI-powered mobility experiences.