ŠKODA presents new Digital Assistant: "Okay, Laura!"
Wednesday, September 25, 2019 — › ŠKODA Digital Assistant to premiere in the KAMIQ city SUV and the compact SCALA
› Online-based voice control system called Laura understands natural speech in six languages
› New feature of the range-topping Amundsen infotainment system uses eSIM card included as
Mladá Boleslav, 25 September 2019 – ŠKODA is premiering a new Digital Assistant: this new,
enhanced voice control system goes by the name of Laura and even understands natural
speech. Part of the range-topping Amundsen infotainment system, it is available for the new
KAMIQ as well as the compact SCALA. The Czech car maker's introduction of the new Digital
Assistant strengthens the position of its two new models as infotainment and connectivity
pioneers in their respective segments.
The new ŠKODA KAMIQ city SUV and the compact SCALA can from now on be controlled with the
help of Laura, the new ŠKODA Digital Assistant. In vehicles equipped with the top-of-the-range
Amundsen infotainment system, a simple "Okay, Laura!" is enough to activate the enhanced voice
control system – there is no need to push a button or do anything else. Laura even understands
natural speech, so drivers are not restricted to a set of predetermined commands or phrases.
Laura has already mastered six languages and can even cope with dialects if need be
The new, enhanced and online-based voice control system can answer inquiries about a wide variety
of topics and obeys commands. It will start navigation to a desired destination, for example, find a
favourite piece of music or take dictation for an SMS. Laura already supports six languages – English,
German and French as well as Spanish, Italian and Czech. If required, the system can even
understand difficult dialects. With an on-board eSIM card included as standard, the ŠKODA KAMIQ
and SCALA are always online. This allows Laura to seamlessly combine on-board and online data and
thus respond quickly and flexibly to any situation. The transition between online and offline services is
so seamless that occupants are never aware of it.
Flexible dialogues and natural conversation style
Drivers can interrupt their dialogue with Laura at any time and use a new command, without having to
wait for the system to complete an answer. This greatly speeds up response times. Moreover, during a
conversation, the radio or media player volume is lowered rather than muted completely, which fosters
the sense of having a natural, relaxed conversation.
The features of ŠKODA's Digital Assistant Laura are subject to continuous development, improvement
and expansion. The system will be available in upcoming models. In future, Laura will be able to
control certain vehicle functions and respond even more flexibly to complete sentences, even enabling
a kind of digital small talk. Other potential applications of the enhanced voice control system that might
become available at a later date include ŠKODA areas outside of the vehicle – such as mobile and
web apps, as well as the online conf igurator.
Catherine Van Geel PR Manager, D'Ieteren NV
catherine.van.geel@dieteren.be
www.skoda.be
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In existence since 1805, and across family generations, D'Ieteren seeks growth and value creation by pursuing a strategy on the long term for its businesses and actively encouraging and supporting them to develop their position in their industry or in their geographies. The Group has currently the following activities:
D'Ieteren Automotive distributes Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, Škoda, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Porsche and Yamaha vehicles in Belgium. It has a market share of around 22% and 1.2 million vehicles on the road. Its business model is evolving towards improving the lives of citizens with fluid, accessible and sustainable mobility. Sales and adjusted operating result reached respectively EUR 3.6 billion and EUR 119.0 million in FY 2019.
Belron (54.85% of the voting rights) has a clear purpose: "making a difference by solving people's problems with real care". It is the worldwide leader in vehicle glass repair and replacement and operates in 39 countries, through wholly owned businesses and franchises, with market leading brands – including Carglass®, Safelite® and Autoglass®. In addition, Belron manages vehicle glass and other insurance claims on behalf of insurance customers. Sales and adjusted operating result reached respectively EUR 4.2 billion and EUR 400.5 million in FY 2019.
Moleskine (100% owned) is a premium and aspirational lifestyle brand which develops and sells iconic branded notebooks and writing, travel and reading accessories through a multichannel distribution strategy across 114 countries. Sales and adjusted operating result reached respectively EUR 163.9 million and EUR 18.6 million in FY 2019.
D'Ieteren Immo (100%) groups together the Belgian real estate interests of D'Ieteren Group. It owns and manages approximately 30 properties which generated EUR 19.7 million net rental income in FY 2019. It also pursues investment projects and carries out studies into possible site renovations.
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