An automated personal assistance system employing artificial intelligence technology that includes speech recognition and synthesis, situational awareness, pattern and behavioral recognition, and the ability to learn from the environment. Embodiments of the system include environmental and occupant sensors and environmental actuators interfaced to an assistance controller having the artificial intelligence technology incorporated therein to control the environment of the system. An embodiment of the invention is implemented as a vehicle which reacts to voice command for movement and operation of the vehicle and detects objects, obstructions, and distances. This invention provides the ability to monitor for the safety of operation and modify dangerous maneuvers as well as to learn locations in the environment and to automatically find its way to them. The system may also incorporate communication capability to convey patterns of environmental and occupant parameters and to a monitoring center.