Amazon Launches Alexa Device for Cars

Amazon has launched a new in-car Alexa device called Echo Auto that makes it possible to use Amazon’s Alexa within your car. Echo Auto is a small device that can be set on the dashboard of the car and makes it possible for motorists to connect to their smartphones through Bluetooth. It then piggybacks on the phone’s cell signal to make it possible for Alexa on the Go to connect with Amazon’s cloud service, thus importing Alexa’s functionality into the car.

Echo Auto can interface with Waze and Apple Maps, thus making it possible for directions to be sent to the phone. Finding your destination thus becomes a lot easier as you can easily access any information that Alexa has about the precise location and directions to get there. Echo Auto also has the ability to sense if you are home and unlock your door and turn the lights on if your home has a smart door and smart lights connected to the door. Echo Auto can be connected to the car either through Bluetooth or through an auxiliary jack. It has a total of eight mics to help it recognize people’s voices in a loud environment. The best feature it offers is that now motorists can get access to advanced infotainment capabilities with just an auxiliary jack even if they lack a large and expensive screen.

This is the first time that Alexa is venturing into the automotive space. Echo Auto is now available on pre-order and will be officially available for sale from October.