BMW voices better control

BMW is advancing the voice control systems for in-car audio and navigation devices with single voice commands to improve their functionality, recognition reliability and convenience.

Thought to be destined to debut in the new-generation 5 Series models due at the Frankfurt motor show in September, all future BMW models will gain this latest spoken word in-vehicle communication interface.

Australian BMWs are in line to receive this when the new ‘5’ arrives in the first half of next year.

Topping the list of improvements is the system’s ability to completely transmit the driver’s destination into the navigation system.

“The driver’s verbal statement specifying the place, street and number is processed immediately by the system, with all data going directly into the navigation unit,” BMW says.

“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. Should the driver, for example, read out the address “Berlin, Willy-Brandt-Strasse 1”, her BMW will take her straight to the Federal Chancellery in the capital of Germany.”

Additionally, the new-generation voice recognition system can find individual music titles as well as choose which music source the listener requires.

BMW says the system monitors and interprets the user’s voice commands for type of music, artist name, album or individual song/track title, for quick, easy and precise access.

“The driver is able to use the navigation and entertainment systems in her BMW quickly and efficiently, at the same time concentrating entirely on driving conditions and the traffic around her,” BMW adds.