Ford researches voice-to-text technology
2010 Lincoln MKZ: A wide suite of features and technology is available in the 2010 Lincoln MKZ, including SYNC with 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report, Voice-Activated Navigation, SIRIUS Travel Link and reverse camera.
After recently announcing support for a nationwide law to ban texting while driving Ford Motor Company is researching more efficient voice-to-text technology to add to and enhance the already popular hands free safety features currently available on Ford vehicles.
"A voice-recognition approach is better than bringing in a piece of paper and unfolding a map or looking down at a mobile device," said Ford's director of electronics, Jim Buczkowski after a press conference Monday where Ford announced that CEO Alan Mulally will, for the second consecutive year, deliver the opening keynote address at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show. "We're looking at various combinations of accomplishing that task because it's being asked for by consumers."
Ford's in-car Sync system is already a hit with consumers. The Sync system reads text messages and operates cell phones with simple voice commands. This hands free technology has been a strong selling point for customers who previously hadn’t considered Ford products. Roughly 70% of the vehicles Ford sells now include the $395 option, Buczkowski said.
Recent studies show the advantage of voice operated hands free technology
Although previous studies have concluded that there is very little difference between hand held and hands free cell phone use in terms of the impact on distracted driving, Ford cites recent results from a study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute that indicates a sharp increase by as much as 23% in the risk of crashes by a driver who is texting compared to one who isn’t.
The VTTI research was conducted using a naturalistic study method which they contend measures a driver’s attention in an environment closer to those experienced under actual driving conditions. The study goes on to state that headset cell phone use is not substantially safer than hand held use because the primary risk associated with both tasks is answering, dialing, and other tasks that require your eyes to be off the road.
A PDF version of the full report from VTTI can be downloaded for reading here.
Comments
There's a company already out the company name is One Voice Technologies The web site is onev.com. Take a look for yourself.
I think that voice recognition system Ford has is really a great idea. Were I in position financially to purchase a vehicle right now, it would be a Ford Tarus.
I wouldn't consider it for just that feature, but it's a great added bonus since it's unique to Ford.
I've used it in a rental car and it's awesome. I can play my iPod via voice activation. Their a USB port.
This question should be phrased better; I'm not sure if they're asking "would you choose a Sync-equipped Ford over another vehicle, all other things being equal?" or "would you consider a Ford because of Sync when you otherwise wouldn't consider the brand?"
I like it, but really wish it worked better with Podcasts on my Zune 30GB. I don't know if later models work as well, but Podcasts just aren't an option unless I browse the device. Gotta check to see if there are any updates for my model Ford, though. I know it's not getting the cool 3.x+ features, but hoping it's not being dropped just because it's a year old.
I've got it and it is great. "Phone Home", Climate temperature down" "Fan speed up", "radio FM 2". All hands free. You can even say "I'm hungry" and it will display nearby restaruants.
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