Tesla's Grok Voice Assistant Arrives in Belgian and Dutch Models with Summer Update

Belgian and Dutch Tesla owners can now enjoy the company’s advanced voice assistant, Grok, after months of waiting. The feature was first introduced to other European markets earlier this year, but it has finally been rolled out to these two countries as part of the latest summer update.

The new voice control system replaces the previous rigid list-based interface with a more conversational approach. Users can now interact with their cars in a more natural way, setting destinations by describing them rather than dictating addresses. This marks a significant improvement over the old system, which required precise phrasing and repetition to work correctly.

Grok is available on eligible versions of the Model S, Model 3, Model X, and Model Y, provided they have an AMD infotainment chip installed since around 2021. Unfortunately, owners with older Intel-based hardware will not be able to access this feature, as no software update can change their car’s underlying architecture.

The Summer Release brings a range of new features beyond just navigation. Grok can now consult the owner’s manual and provide advice on vehicle maintenance and usage, answer general questions, look up music and podcasts, and adjust climate control settings. The manual function is particularly useful, as many owners rarely read their car’s manual but often have unanswered questions.

Grok ships with five different voices and a range of personalities to suit various tastes. While some options are designed for children, others cater specifically to adults, including modes described by Tesla as ‘unhinged’ or ‘sexy.’ However, it remains unclear whether these more provocative settings belong on the dashboard, especially considering European regulators may take an interest in this aspect.

To use Grok effectively, owners need either a Premium Connectivity subscription or a stable Wi-Fi connection. In practice, most users will likely opt for connectivity while driving, as accessing Wi-Fi from a moving vehicle is not very reliable.

It’s worth noting that Grok does not replace any part of Autopilot or Full Self-Driving systems and only provides information through voice commands. The assistant focuses on answering questions, searching for music, and setting destinations without taking control of the car’s driving functions.

The introduction of Grok in Belgian and Dutch Teslas highlights an interesting aspect of AI assistants in cars: their most useful features often lie in their mundane capabilities rather than flashy personalities or voices. By providing straightforward answers to common queries and streamlining navigation tasks, these systems can genuinely improve the driving experience.