SoundHound Deploys 1st Mandarin Voice Assistant for Chinese Stellantis Branch

SoundHound’s voice AI platform has begun rolling out within Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën Automobiles (DPCA) vehicles in China. The voice assistant is SoundHound’s first to include Mandarin as a language option and builds on its recent deal with DPCA’s parent brand Stellantis in Europe and incorporates its custom wake words and Edge+Cloud connectivity options combining on-device and cloud processing.

SoundHound Mandarin

DPCA cars built with SoundHound have multiple language options, but the inclusion of Mandarin comes three years after the voice AI mainstay and Stellantis started working on it. Drivers communicating with the car’s AI in Mandarin will have access to the same array of voice commands as in other languages, including entertainment, navigation, and communications. The service runs on a hybrid model of cloud and on-device processing, combining its Edge+Cloud and Active Arbitration technologies to speed the voice assistant’s response time. The new system prompts the car’s AI to respond to driver queries by searching the onboard system and the cloud for a solution at the same time instead of waiting for the on-device search to finish before connecting with the cloud.

“We’re delighted to be bringing SoundHound’s voice technology to our DPCA vehicles. It’s important for our drivers and passengers to be able to control car features and search the internet by speaking in Mandarin,” DPCA product planning department director HengHui Li said. “The powerful hybrid cloud and embedded connectivity of SoundHound’s Voice AI platform allows us to deliver “always-on” voice experiences, even when there might not be an internet connection. It’s perfect for customers on the go.”

SoundHound’s deal with Stellantis and its subsidiary brands like DPCA have helped it quickly grow its automotive presence. The company also counts Hyundai, Kia, and Mercedes among its vehicular clients. The company also opened up its hybrid model to more than just cars, offering tools to embed a voice assistant with a range of cloud or on-device processing options in any compatible device.

“We’re delighted to be able to offer our first Mandarin solution, granting many DPCA customers access to the very best in voice technology in their first language,” Soundhound CEO Keyvan Mohajer said. “SoundHound now offers conversational technology in 25 languages, allowing many millions of people to communicate naturally with their car, and connect with the world beyond it safely and seamlessly.”

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