BMW are fitting a new voice control system to their cars from September
BMW has announced the launch of a new voice control system across their range in the UK (and other regions, including the US and much of Europe) from September 2009.
Hopefully this will work. My own experience of voice control systems is not great – I usually end up doing it manually through the interface. But with BMW’s pretty complicated iDrive system it will be a big plus, and safer, to speak your commands.
The new voice control system will enable drivers to input destinations in to the SatNav with simple destination statements. For example, you could say ‘Hyde Park Corner, London’ and in theory that would be it. You will also be able to control much of the audio system in the same way, including selecting the artist, track and even the genre. From 2010 drivers will also be able to select tracks in this way from an iPod connected to the system.
I’m a huge gadget lover and, so long as it works properly, I’ll take any gizmo going. And I’m far from alone, so BMW is being shrewd by moving ‘Smart’ technology along in their cars. We recently reported on BMW’s ‘Rain’ feature for its SatNav, so what next? Auto-fuelling? Self cleaning? Who know, but as long as I still have control of the car I’m all for it.
The system is supposed to be sophisticated enough to learn drivers’ preferences and mode of speech. Slick idea and, if it works, should be a prelude to much wider voice controls.
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