Cisco and Audi have joined forces to enhance mobile car collaboration experiences for hybrid workers. This initiative, in conjunction with Volkswagen Group’s software company CARIAD and Samsung subsidiary HARMAN, aims to provide cutting-edge solutions for the evolving needs of modern professionals. As of the 2024 model year, Webex will become the first app for hybrid work available in select Audi models.
The Audi partnership appears to serve as a precursor to Cisco’s plans to roll out Webex to Android Auto, thereby making it available in vehicles from over 500 manufacturers.
The concept of work has significantly transformed in recent years, with the traditional boundaries of office spaces and devices no longer defining the modern work environment. People now seek flexible and seamless ways to accomplish tasks on their own terms, demanding innovative tools that empower them to do so.
To achieve this, the Webex automotive application will be made accessible through the in-vehicle Audi Application Store. Developed by CARIAD and HARMAN, the Application Store will cater initially to select Audi vehicles, with additional Volkswagen Group brands expected to follow suit in the future.
“We are excited to offer Volkswagen Group’s customers Webex meeting capabilities that make hybrid work more convenient and adaptable. With our new Group Application Store we will offer customers a vast variety of essential and popular apps, seamlessly connecting their car with their digital life. Together with our Volkswagen Group brands and partners, we take the digital in-car experience to the next level turning the car into a smart companion for drivers,” said Dr. Riclef Schmidt-Clausen, Senior Vice President, Domain Intelligent Cockpit & Body, CARIAD
Jeetu Patel, the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Security & Collaboration at Cisco, expressed the significance of this initiative, stating, “We’re on a mission to transform the connected car into another extension of the hybrid workplace. Our work with leading manufacturers like Audi will empower customers with a safe and seamless way to stay connected and be productive regardless of where or how you’re working.”
This collaboration offers a range of benefits to customers seeking a seamless hybrid work experience:
Simple Setup: Drivers will have the ability to download the Cisco Webex App directly from the Application Store on their Audi vehicle’s infotainment system. This eliminates the need for a smartphone and ensures that the applications in the vehicle comply with the stringent safety requirements of the Volkswagen Group. Drivers will be able to transition from Webex meetings on their electronic devices to in-car meetings.
Purpose-Built Safety Features: Webex incorporates features designed to prioritise safety, such as automatically switching to audio-only mode when the car is in motion. This ensures that drivers can actively participate in meetings without diverting their attention from the road. Once parked, drivers can fully immerse themselves in the collaborative experience offered by Webex, enabling them to view meeting participants, shared content, and closed captioning.
AI-Enhanced Meetings: Webex provides drivers with access to its built-in artificial intelligence (AI) features, which include top-of-the-line noise removal and voice optimisation. These features guarantee that drivers can be heard clearly, without any disruptive background noise like traffic or construction sounds.
The Application Store, offering the Webex App, will be available for download in new Audi production models, including the Audi A4, A5, Q5, A6, A7, A8, Q8 e-tron, and e-tron GT, starting from July 2023. Customers in Europe, the USA, Canada, Mexico, and overseas markets will have access to this technology.
