IVR and voice recognition software have been quite the buzz lately. With the healthcare industry potentially eliminating the excessive use of gadget in emergency vehicles and adapting these technologies, it seems IVR will be getting quite a boost in its consumer base.
Now, according to reports from investors.com, ambulances may not be the only vehicle that is jumping on the voice recognition bandwagon.
For anyone in the professional world, travelling to and from meetings and events can tend to be time wasted, when important job duties are still left on the “to-do” list of someone’s business day.
However, with the influx of time spend in cars, people need to find new ways to make the time they spend in the car as productive as time spent in the office.
And, some major automotive companies are doing something to offer their consumers a leg up in productivity in their cars, without the use of dangerous devices.
The solution: voice recognition technology in cars.
According to reports, the first phase in this evolution is navigation systems. Once used solely for finding your way around town, in-car systems now can call for roadside help, crank up your iPod and make hands-free calls. Soon, these systems will handle e-mail, text messages and more.
While some of these systems are still in the development phases, a few companies are already offering systems.
General Motor’s OnStar system uses global positioning and wireless technology to deliver vehicle safety, security and information services to drivers. Coming in two different packages, the “safe and sound” also program provides roadside emergency services for everything from a flat tire to major accidents, increasing safety while potentially increasing productivity.
Merecedes Benz’s Linguatronic is a voice-operated control system that provides drivers with common navigation functions via speaking. It's available on the company's C-Class, G-Class, and S-Class vehicles, and unlike older voice-navigation systems, can process multiple commands at once rather than just one at a time.
BMW’s voice-control system – BMW Voice Control – can understand multiple terms when consumers enter driving information. The system, which launched in September, is available on a dozen vehicles, and can control the car's entertainment system.
And finally, Toyota’s Lexus Enform, a voice recognition service available on its 2010 vehicles, controls a number of audio systems, including CD player and standard and satellite radio. Additionally, drivers also can set the car's heating and air-conditioning functions via voice commands, and can report sports scores, weather updates and stock quotes.
Now, that’s pretty nifty.
Kelly McGuire is a TMCnet Web editor, covering CRM and workforce technologies, and anchor of its daily TMC Newsroom video broadcast. Kelly also writes about eco-friendly "green" technologies and smart grids, compiling TMCnet's weekly e-Newsletters on those topics, as well as the cable industry. To read more of Kelly's articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by Kelly McGuire