Audi updates its app to put an AI brain in your electric car

The modern car itself is only half the story these days. The other half, the part that we drivers wrestle with every day, is the software. Automakers know this, and Audi is taking a big step to streamline its technology with a total relaunch of the myAudi app.

The company portrays it as a new solution designed to connect the driver, the vehicle, and the web into a single, unified system. Audi promises this new app will make life much simpler for car owners.

The flashiest new feature is the integration of artificial intelligence. Audi's software division CARIAD has embedded ChatGPT directly into the system. This AI-powered assistant is designed to be a practical helper, and it can answer technical questions about the car by drawing information directly from the onboard manual. Drivers can even ask their car now, "Why is this light on?" instead of pulling over to search Google for answers.

The myAudi app can now fully replace the physical key fob. Using a smartphone or a smartwatch, owners can lock, unlock, and even start their Audi. Digital keys are not a new concept, but their integration here is making the physical key completely obsolete. For anyone who has ever lost their keys or simply prefers to carry one less item, this function brings the car closer to being a seamless extension of a person's digital life. It's a small change that makes a big difference to the daily experience of car ownership.

Where the new myAudi app truly flexes its muscles is in EV management. Audi has clearly designed the app to be a smart companion for drivers of its e-tron series, hoping to soothe the common worries that come with owning an electric car.

The app provides a central hub for all vital EV data. Owners can view their vehicle's current range, manage Plug & Charge payment functions, and create and control charging schedules. This allows drivers to plug in their Audi at night and use the app to ensure it only charges during off-peak hours, saving money on electricity bills.

The app features an improved route planner specifically for EVs. Owners can plan a long-distance trip from their home, and the app will automatically find charging stations along the way and build charging stops into the route. Once the plan is finalized, it can be sent directly to the car's navigation system with a few clicks.

The app also supports battery preconditioning for selected models. This function heats or cools the battery to its optimal temperature before a fast-charge session, which can dramatically reduce charging times, especially in very hot or cold weather.

Of course, the app is also a gateway to Audi's digital marketplace. A new shopping tab provides product recommendations tailored to the owner's specific Audi model. This includes offers for both physical products, like accessories, and digital services. This is the unfortunate part of the new reality of car ownership, where automakers look for a new revenue stream.

The updated myAudi app is already available for download in both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store across more than 50 markets, stretching from Europe to the Pacific region. The company has also confirmed that additional markets are set to follow soon, including Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.

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