LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic announced today that it is working with Amazon to offer the next generation of in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems with the Alexa voice service, including certain capabilities natively embedded. The integration will change the experience OEMs can offer to in-car users, allowing them to interact with the voice service from the vehicle. Panasonic will deliver an Alexa experience optimized for in-car use, with select Alexa capabilities available with no Internet connection required. The companies demonstrated the technology during the Panasonic CES 2018 press conference held earlier today in Las Vegas.

Panasonic and Amazon are accelerating the ability for automakers to connect drivers to the helpful capabilities of Alexa.  Amazon's Alexa Onboard technology works with the Panasonic Skip Generation (Skip Gen) IVI technology announced at CES 2017 and enables drivers to use the familiar "Alexa" wake word to interact with the intelligent voice service for a variety of in-vehicle functions such as car controls like HVAC, media, communication and navigation. As part of the integration, Panasonic and Amazon are delivering the IVI functionality using Amazon's Alexa Onboard technology, making certain Alexa capabilities available as built-in services and giving in-car users access to these Alexa features regardless of network connection.

"When drivers have access to familiar Alexa contextual commands and responses from inside the car, it opens up a new world of experiences OEMs can offer – enabling some of these capabilities even without an Internet connection is revolutionary," said Tom Gebhardt, President, Panasonic Corporation of North America. "The Panasonic and Amazon initiative to deliver auto makers this capability signifies Panasonic's commitment to lead in the automotive industry, and one that will continue as we work with companies like Amazon to transform IVI solutions." 

Alexa is a cloud-based voice service available on Alexa enabled devices like Amazon Echo and more. The Alexa Onboard technology integrated into Panasonic Skip Gen technology will bring voice functionality for in-car users, and for the first time, offer certain select Alexa capabilities without an Internet connection.

Customers can simply ask Alexa for many things. For instance:

• Navigation: Say, "Alexa, find the nearest coffee shop," and instantly get directions using only your voice.
• Music: Ask Alexa to play music from your select streaming services
• Smart home: Control your smart home on the go with Alexa. Just ask Alexa to warm up your home while commuting, check if your front door is locked, turn the lights on and more.
• News: Say, "Alexa, what's the news?" to hear your daily flash briefings.
• Ordering: Order a meal delivered before you even arrive home from meal delivery services like GrubHub and Amazon Restaurants.

"We're thrilled that Panasonic has chosen to embed Alexa technology into its automotive software," said Ned Curic, Vice President, Amazon Alexa Automotive. "Alexa can help customers with thousands of things in the car – navigation, music, audiobooks and more. This is a big step toward bringing Alexa to customers wherever they might need her, whether they're at home or on-the-go."

During CES 2018, Panasonic is planning to showcase the Alexa integration on Panasonic Skip Gen IVI at an invitation only event.   

About Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America

Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America is a division company of Panasonic Corporation of North America and is the top supplier of automotive infotainment systems globally, according to IHS. Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America acts as the North American operating company of Panasonic Corp.'s Automotive & Industrial Systems Company, which coordinates global automotive and industrial systems and components operations. Panasonic Automotive is headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia, with sales, marketing and engineering operations in Farmington Hills, Michigan. For more information on Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, please visit: us.panasonic.com/automotive.

About Panasonic Corporation of North America     

Newark, NJ-based Panasonic Corporation of North America is a leading technology partner and integrator to businesses, government agencies and consumers across the region. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Osaka, Japan-based Panasonic Corporation and leverages its strengths in Immersive Entertainment, Sustainable Energy, Automated Supply Chains and Connected Solutions to provide secure and resilient integrated solutions for B2B customers. Panasonic was highlighted in Forbes Magazine's Global 2000 ranking as one of the Top Ten Best Regarded Companies for 2017.  The ranking is based on outstanding scores for trustworthiness, honesty with the public and superior performance of products and solutions. Learn more about Panasonic's ideas and innovations at PanasonicMovesUs.com.

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