We are all . . . well, maybe mostly all . . . getting used to issuing voice instructions to our automobiles but BMW has bumped this engagement even further with a major expansion of its Intelligent Personal Assistant, developed in partnership with Amazon.
Set to debut this year, the new system promises a far more natural and conversational way for drivers and passengers to interact with their vehicles.
The upgraded assistant, built on Amazon's advanced Alexa+ architecture, will first be introduced in the all-electric BMW iX3. BMW says this integration makes them the first automaker to bring this level of conversational artificial intelligence directly into the car. The technology is designed to understand context and complex, multi-part requests, moving beyond simple predefined commands.
Need finance – click here for the very best finance deals for your new car
“Our partnership with Amazon is rooted in a shared vision of technological excellence,” says Stephan Durach, Senior Vice President for Development and Connected Services at the BMW Group. “By enhancing our Intelligent Personal Assistant with Amazon's Alexa+ technology, the vehicle evolves into a truly intelligent companion, setting a new benchmark for natural interaction.”
The system will allow users to ask blended questions in a single sentence, such as inquiring about a famous painting and then requesting navigation to its museum, all through a fluid dialogue. Linking a personal Amazon account will also streamline access to music streaming, news, and a wide variety of other content.
Daniel Rausch, Vice President of Alexa and Echo at Amazon, added: “Collaborating with the BMW Group has been excellent. Their advanced technology, combined with the conversational intelligence of Alexa+, creates a sophisticated and seamless experience for the driver.”
The first public showcase for the enhanced assistant will be the CES 2026 trade show in Las Vegas. Customers in Germany and the United States will be the first to experience it, with availability commencing in the second half of 2026 via the iX3's BMW Operating System X. A gradual rollout to other markets and model series is planned for the future.
This development marks the latest evolution of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, which was first introduced in 2018 and has seen continuous upgrades, including the integration of Amazon Alexa capabilities in 2022. The 2026 advancement represents a key step in BMW's broader strategy to deeply integrate intuitive, software-defined vehicle technology across its entire model range.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
proudly ALL THINGS MOTORING
