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Andre Wehner, ŠKODA CDO, and Sebastian Lasek, Head of Connectivity, talk in a joint interview about the advantages of Laura, the digital voice assistant, and her ability to learn.

Okay, Mr Wehner! Why is ŠKODA using a digital voice assistant?

Andre Wehner: We know from our customers that accessing functions using natural language is becoming increasingly important. That is why we introduced the digital assistant, Laura, who supports our customers in their everyday lives. Laura is a perfect addition to the Simply Clever features that we have been offering in our vehicles since the 1920s and also complements the digital features.

What is the advantage of the Laura voice assistant?

Wehner: Laura offers more comfort. As a true mobility companion, she supports ŠKODA drivers on the go, and when planning journeys at home and visiting the ŠKODA website. In the vehicle, drivers can operate call, navigation and infotainment functions using voice control, enabling them to always keep their hands on the steering wheel and communicate with the vehicle in a natural way. At home, customers can get information about the vehicle’s status, including the fuel or battery charge level and the current parking location, from their smart home assistants such as Alexa or Google Home. At the same time, information can also be sent directly to the vehicle; for example, a restaurant address can be sent directly to the navigation system from home.

Okay, Mr Lasek, what are the advantages of a voice assistant for the vehicles’ interior design?

Lasek: Anyone driving a new ŠKODA has the choice of using voice control or conventional haptic controls. We take customers’ wishes into account when designing our vehicles, and we observe how voice control is used. In many instances, the feature also allows us to reduce the number of buttons and switches and makes operation easier.

Is Laura capable of learning?

Wehner: Laura is still young and offers basic functions, but she is continually developing. In the new OCTAVIA, she understands natural speech much better than before. Laura offers Alexa or Google Home users a growing number of functions.

What languages does Laura understand?

Lasek: Laura is a real polyglot. She understands Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish and Turkish. She even understands natural speech in Czech, English, German, French, Italian and Spanish: You no longer have to say: “Increase the temperature by 1 degree”, but can simply say, “Laura, I’m cold.” Laura recognises passengers’ wishes from their previous user behaviour.

Which vehicles already come with Laura?

Lasek: ŠKODA drivers can speak to Laura in the SCALA, KAMIQ, SUPERB iV and the new OCTAVIA. She will be available in all future ŠKODA models.

Which languages can Laura use to communicate with other voice assistants?

Wehner: Laura can communicate with the widely used voice assistants Amazon Alexa and Google Home. Via Alexa, Laura understands English, German and French – Spanish and Italian will be launched soon. Google Home is available in English; French, German, Spanish and Italian will follow in 2020.

What can we expect from Laura in the future? How is she evolving and where will we see her in the future?

Wehner: We are continuously developing, improving and expanding the capabilities of the Laura voice assistant. The system will be available in upcoming models. In the future, for example, Laura will be able to adjust the first vehicle functions and react even more flexibly to complete spoken sentences and even engage in digital small talk. In the future, extended voice control applications are also conceivable outside the vehicle in other areas related to ŠKODA, such as in mobile or web apps and in the online configurator. For example, customers in Spain can already speak to Laura on local ŠKODA importers’ websites. Laura will soon be available on importers’ websites in other countries.

How do you teach dialects to a voice assistant?

Wehner: As far as dialects are concerned, we define synonyms for specific words in the respective language model. This is how we ensure Laura understands our customers as they speak in everyday language. Laura already understands some dialects and she learns quickly.

Mr Wehner, Mr Lasek, thank you for taking part in this interview.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

The sketch shows a wide dashboard arranged on several levels, which echoes the symmetrical contours of the ŠKODA grille in the centre. The colour orange, which inspires vitality and creativity, is used extensively throughout the interior, for example, on the centre armrest and door panels. The chrome-plated ventilation nozzles on the side are also eye-catching, with fine ventilation louvres spanning almost the entire width of the instrument panel. In addition to the large, free-standing central screen and virtual cockpit, a new crystalline element on the instrument panel creates an optical highlight. The three-spoke multifunction steering wheel features buttons and knurl wheels following ŠKODA’s new operating concept. The reduced and clearly structured centre console has a small control lever for gear selection.

The ŠKODA VISION IN is the first vehicle to be based on the new localised sub-compact platform of the MQB A0 IN modular transverse matrix, which also forms the inter-brand basis of various ŠKODA and Volkswagen models. In developing the model, the Czech manufacturer has explicitly focused on meeting the wishes and requirements of customers in the Indian market. As part of the INDIA 2.0 project, ŠKODA AUTO now manages the activities of the Volkswagen Group brands represented in the region.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Jan, as a rally driver you are used to driving in challenging conditions such as on wet roads, in snow and on ice. On public roads, drivers can also find themselves in these situations, especially in autumn and winter. What can we do to be prepared?
Jan Kopecký: The most important advice that every driver should bear in mind at all times, not only in autumn and winter: Don’t let yourself be distracted at the wheel, always drive at a sufficient distance from other road users and maintain an appropriate speed. Drivers should check the weather forecast before setting off and allow additional time if necessary. Starting the journey earlier can reduce stress, especially on the way to the office. Before setting off, the car should be completely free of snow and ice. This also includes scraping the roof and the bonnet. Only people who have good visibility can react well. Besides, cars driving behind must not be endangered by falling snow or ice. Your driving style must always adapt to the conditions of the road. Every driver should prepare their vehicle for journeys in the cold season. Winter tyres with a sufficient tread depth of at least four millimetres are a must.

How can we recognise that the road is going to be slippery or icy?
Kopecký: At low temperatures, darker patches on the road are a sign of slippery surfaces; if the road has a glittery appearance, you should ease off the accelerator. When there is snow on the ground, the road surface is often slippery; salt can turn the snow into slush, which also increases the risk of slipping. Your speed should also be reduced when the snow is firm because the road could be frozen under the snow, which you as a driver may not immediately notice. Therefore, drive with foresight and pay attention to your distance from other road users. In such situations, you should always maintain a gap of three seconds from the person in front.

What is the best way to react when you approach a slippery section of road?
Kopecký: Rule number one: keep calm and do not panic. In principle, the driver should reduce their speed by at least half on a snowy or icy road because your braking distance is three to four times longer in these weather conditions. To avoid the car slipping and getting out of control, abrupt steering and braking should be avoided. Personally, I either don’t drive on slippery roads at all or I drive as if I had fresh eggs in the boot. In vehicles with a manual transmission, the clutch should be depressed if the vehicle skids, then the wheels only have to transmit longitudinal forces. Nevertheless, if the car slips on a bend, it is usually enough to steer into the slide, i.e. steer the direction the car is sliding to regain control. Changing lanes when there is snow between lanes also works best if you step on the clutch and let the car roll into the other lane with a little more momentum.

Both making adjustments to our driving style and having the right equipment can prevent problems on winder roads.  What should motorists have in the car with them during the winter?
Kopecký: You should have an ice scraper and a brush to remove snow from your car. At ŠKODA, these two Simply Clever features are included as standard in the new OCTAVIA in the fuel cap and the door. Sometimes a de-icer spray can also be helpful: It makes the job much easier if the layer of ice is particularly thick or you do not have much strength. Snow chains are a must when driving in the mountains, but putting them on should be practised beforehand. There should also be sufficient windscreen washer fluid and antifreeze in the water tank. With older car batteries, a battery check is highly recommended before winter sets in.

What can we do to prevent the wheels from spinning when pulling away on slippery roads?
Kopecký: When driving a modern ŠKODA, traction control usually helps in such cases. In vehicles with a manual gearbox, you can also engage second gear to start and play a bit with the clutch and accelerator pedal to avoid stalling.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com

Dr. Ralf Hanschen, President of ŠKODA China, says: “ŠKODA has been winning on rally tracks around the globe. The ŠKODA FABIA R5 inherits the DNA of ŠKODA Motorsport as one of the most successful models ever seen in the history of ŠKODA Motorsport. The launch of DA-Motorsport ŠKODA FABIA R5 Rally Team marks the first time a ŠKODA FABIA R5 is part of a Chinese rally team. We expect the ŠKODA FABIA R5 rally car to continue its legacy and to help improve ŠKODA’s brand presence in China.”

Chen De’an, Head of DA Motorsport, adds: “The ŠKODA FABIA R5 rally car is the most successful rally car in its category in the FIA World Rally Championship. Our new team combines the excellent performance of the ŠKODA FABIA R5 with our skilled drivers and the racing experience of DA-Motorsport. The DA-Motorsport ŠKODA FABIA R5 Rally Team has the potential to truly become a ‘Dream Team’ in China’s rally series, leading and winning on the stages and in the championship.”

Zhang Tao, Secretary General of the CAMF, emphasizes: “Motorsport is still growing in China. Through collaboration with international automakers like ŠKODA, industry associations and rally teams as well as with the support of fans, we are building a dynamic racing culture. The launch of DA-Motorsport ŠKODA FABIA R5 Rally Team reflects this trend perfectly. We wish the new rally team many remarkable achievements.”

The ŠKODA FABIA R5 was homologated by the motorsport federation FIA in 2015 and went on to win among others the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) four years in a row from 2015 to 2018. The latest version of the ŠKODA FABIA R5 is equipped with an upgraded 1.6 litres turbo, the basis of this aggregate is produced together with SAIC VOLKSWAGEN in Shanghai. The race engine features improved power output and drivability. It is equipped with a new oil pump with an enhanced hydraulic regulation, an electric water pump and a more effective cooling system. To date, ŠKODA has delivered more than 320 ŠKODA FABIA R5 and ŠKODA FABIA R5 evo to racing teams worldwide.

ŠKODA has been successful in motorsport since 1901. Be it on circuits or in rallies, ŠKODA has celebrated victories and won titles all around the world. Historical highlights include numerous title wins in the FIA World Rally Championship’s WRC 2 category, the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC), the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) and the Intercontinental Rally Challenge (IRC). In 2019, factory crew Kalle Rovanperä/Jonne Halttunen won both WRC 2 Pro drivers’ and co-drivers’ championship of the FIA World Rally Championship while ŠKODA AUTO took the WRC 2 Pro manufacturers’ title.

Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com