Audi is adding Alexa to the E-Tron and other select models

Audi is joining the growing list of automakers, including BMW and Toyota, choosing to add Alexa voice control to their vehicles. The company will integrate Amazon's voice assistant into select models in North America and Europe, starting in January 2019 and with the newly unveiled E-Tron electric SUV. Audi will load Alexa onto the selected vehicles' infotainment systems, so there's no need to dock your phones -- simply link your car to your Amazon account and then activate the assistant through the onboard voice control system. You'll then be able to ask Alexa to play music, read audiobooks, order groceries, tell you sports scores and to add items to your shopping lists while driving.

Ned Curic, VP of Alexa Auto, says you'll also be able to ask Alexa to locate points of interest, as well as to control smart devices from your car. Say, you want to adjust your room's temperature before you arrive home -- you can do that while you're on your way. "Our vision is to bring Alexa to customers wherever they are -- at home, at work, and on the go," he said. "With Alexa built directly into the vehicle, customers can ask Alexa to play music, locate points of interest, control smart home devices, and access thousands of Alexa skills, and we're excited to work with a brand like Audi to bring that experience to the all-new Audi e-tron and additional models in its vehicle lineup."

Audi has always been a likely candidate for Alexa integration, seeing as the myAudi app already gives you a way to access Amazon Music in some of the brand's newer models. The e-commerce giant released its Alexa Auto software development kit in August, though. That means more automakers now have access to tools needed to be able to add the voice assistant to their vehicles, and Alexa will likely make its way to more brands and models in the future.