Calling The Navigational Shots
Only a few years ago it was still the stuff of science-fiction. Imagine just being able to speak your destination to program the in-car navigation system. BMW Australia was the first manufacturer to introduce satnav in Australia back in the late 1990s, but the latest development will be greatly welcomed by users.
One imagines a clear speaking voice might be a pre-requisite. Just listen to any of the voices – male and – female used by BMW to help us make our way around Australia. Not only are they all beautifully spoken but even the most stubborn or clumsiest of failures to follow the directions given does not provoke a burst of temper.
So, speak clearly, and you are already on the way. This will be the first time that one single voice command is sufficient to completely convey the driver’s destination to the navigation system. A verbal statement specifying the place, street and number is processed immediately by the system, with all data going directly into the navigation unit..
The driver no longer has to specify the place, street and number in individual steps, but can rather read out all of this information in one go.
BMW will employ this same technology for audio sources other than the polite voice passing on navigational instructions. The sound system will respond to requests such as ‘FM radio 1, 105.9’ or CD. It can even locate individual music titles. But you do have to supply the appropriate CD yourself!
This advance in voice control represents a step forward in safety because the driver only has to speak, without being distracted even briefly from the road and traffic conditions.
Germany and some other selected markets will receive this new technology before the end of this year. Australian customers can look forward to this boon in the near future.
