Offbeat News : Electric two-wheeler manufacturer Ather Energy has released a major software update for its scooters. The company’s CEO and co-founder, Tarun Mehta, announced that the rollout of the new “Voice on Ather” feature has been completed. The feature will be available to customers using Gen 3 and newer scooter models.
Understands Natural Language
Ather first introduced the feature during Ather Community Day 2025 as part of its AtherStack 7 update. It allows riders to interact with their scooters using natural spoken language, similar to how Google Assistant or Apple’s Siri works, but specifically designed for Ather vehicles.
The system is powered by a Large Language Model (LLM) that has been trained to understand Indian languages, accents, and conversational styles. This enables users to speak naturally rather than relying on fixed commands.
What Can It Do?
Currently, the feature supports four major functions:
- Navigation
- Vehicle settings
- Calls and notifications
- Media controls
For example, riders can ask where the nearest charging station is, adjust traction control settings, or increase and decrease screen brightness using only voice commands while riding.
How Does It Work?
To use the system, riders can connect through the Ather Halo Smart Helmet or any compatible Bluetooth headset. This means the feature is not limited to Ather-branded accessories and can work with third-party devices as well.
Next Update Will Enable Two-Way Conversations
According to Tarun Mehta, the next software update will make the interaction two-way, allowing scooters to actively communicate with riders.
Ather has previously indicated that future versions could provide voice alerts about road potholes, parking availability, and even tire pressure information.
Supported Models
The Voice on Ather feature is available on:
- Ather 450X
- Ather 450 Apex
- Ather Rizta Z
However, the feature is not available on the Ather 450S and Rizta S variants, as they do not come with Gen 3 hardware.
The update is being delivered via Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates, and users have already started receiving it.
