Cerence Introduces Cerence Pay for Secure, Voice-Powered Payments in the Car as Contactless Payment Demand Soars

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BURLINGTON, Mass., July 30, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cerence Inc. (NASDAQ: CRNC), AI for a world in motion, today launched Cerence Pay, a new product that delivers a secure, contactless payment experience in the car through voice-powered AI. Cerence Pay is designed to anticipate drivers’ needs and provide a seamless payment transaction from intent to authentication via voice and facial biometrics and through to purchase. The company is currently working with Audi on a joint project to build Cerence Pay into future Audi head units.

Just as the demand for in-car voice assistants soars, so does the need for fast, contactless, voice-powered payments for common needs on the road, including parking, fuel, electric vehicle charging, restaurant reservation booking, fast food, and more. Contactless payment was already on the rise, but the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the desire for touch-free payment options. In fact, according to a recent announcement by Visa, more than 70% of all Visa transactions in Europe are now made by contactless card or mobile devices.

“As contactless pay becomes an everyday occurrence for people at grocery stores, coffee shops, and other retailers, we want to deliver that same great experience on the road, where safety and convenience are of the utmost importance,” said Nils Lenke, VP and General Manager of Cerence Applications business. “Beyond the benefits to drivers and passengers, Cerence Pay enables OEMs to offer a superior, intuitive experience with safe and secure transactions via voice and facial biometrics and seamless integration with the car’s head unit and companion apps.”

“We’ve set out to build a natural, intuitive in-car experience centered around an intelligent companion that meets drivers’ every need while on the go,” said Andreas Reich, Executive Director, Development of Connected Car & Infotainment, Audi. “Cerence Pay is a relevant module, making the travel experience that much simpler and safer through secure, voice-powered payments – a must in today’s world.”

Building a World-Class Cerence Pay Partner Ecosystem

To support this need for payments in the car, Cerence is building an ecosystem of partners that it will continue to expand over time. In addition, Cerence Pay is easily integrated with an automaker’s preferred payment partners and companion apps. This powers a flexible platform that enables OEMs to create their own unique experience and meet the specific needs of their drivers: more convenient, secure payment options driven by personalized and relevant content in their moment of need. It also offers OEMs and content providers new transaction-based revenue streams to stay competitive in today’s digital economy.