As in-car technology continues to evolve, one thing we drivers will have to get used to is in-car voice control. According to a YouGov survey, 35% of British drivers have used a voice assistant in a car, and this number is expected to rise.
Now available on pretty much most lease cars, whether standard or range-topping spec, voice recognition technology enhances the convenience, safety, and connectivity of modern cars.
However, like a lot of new technologies, voice control can be difficult to wrap your head around.
To help you out, car leasing experts at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts will delve into the latest in-car voice control technologies, providing insights into how they work and their benefits.
We discuss:
Voice recognition technology is all around us today. Think Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple Homepod. It's been around in cars for a good twenty years now, but the technology has really taken off in the last couple of years.
In simple terms, in-car voice control technology is when you speak to your car to get a desired result.
Thanks to the rise of AI, in-car voice control is more sophisticated than ever. It uses natural language processing to ensure that even some of the toughest accents to understand (yes, that's you, Scousers and Geordies) can be used.
By saying your car's activation commands, it enables hands-free control of the infotainment system and various vehicle functions, such as:
- Setting navigation and listening to directions
- Answering the phone
- Receiving information about everything from the nearest electric vehicle charger to the nearest Italian restaurant
- Operating the infotainment system like the current song played or radio station
- Controlling in-car systems like air conditioning, de-mist, and
Once you've figured out how to use in-car voice control, there are various benefits that enhance both the driving experience and overall safety. Here are the main advantages:
- Safety - In-car voice control allows drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road when controlling in-car features, thus reducing distractions and the likelihood of accidents.
- Convenience - Drivers can control various car features with simple voice commands. This reduces the need for the driver to interact manually with in-car features and allows for ease of use.
- Efficient navigation - The main benefit of in-car voice control is that you can set your directions simply by speaking. The days of messing around with your in-car sat-nav are long gone! Voice control can also read out text messages and emails to keep you up-to-date on your journey.
In-car infotainment systems come in many different shapes and sizes. There's a whole range of different providers that offer voice recognition, such as:
- Built-in assistants - Some manufacturers have opted for built-in voice recognition from big tech companies, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This saves the manufacturer lots of the set-up costs of producing their own and is also familiar with drivers.
- Smartphone integration - Pretty much all modern cars come with smartphone integration technology. Through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, drivers can sync up their phone to the car's infotainment system, which can also use the phone's voice control technology. If you're curious about Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, check out our blog, What is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
- Manufacturer voice assistants - Some manufacturers have started including in-house voice assistants in their cars. Manufacturers such as BMW, Tesla, Ford, all have their own voice recognition technology.
There's no denying that the voice recognition landscape in modern cars is a bit like the Wild West at the minute. All vehicles feature different systems, which can be difficult to wrap your head around.
BMW iDrive
BMW iDrive is essentially the infotainment system version of what Lionel Messi is to football. It's the GOAT. One of the most instinctive and intuitive systems on the market, iDrive's intelligent personal assistant is fantastic. By simply saying "Hey BMW" the system jumps into action and can control a range of features such as the suspension, electric range, or restaurant recommendations.
Mini Spike
Mini cars have had a serious interior upgrade in the last few years with their circular infotainment system. This includes Spike, a little bulldog who is your voice assistant. It's built on the same software as iDrive, so as you can expect, it is brilliant to use and can understand a range of accents.
Mercedes-Benz
It's only right that Mercedes-Benz is mentioned in this article. A leader in in-car technology, their 'Hey Mercedes' voice assistant is one of the best around. Featuring ChatGPT, it goes above and beyond others by telling you jokes, singing, and even giving opinions on other cars.
I'm not sure if this is cool or a bit scary.
Skoda Laura
Skoda is another manufacturer that has made serious technological gains in the last few years. Their digital voice assistant is called Laura, and thanks to its connection to ChatGPT, it uses the latest technology to provide answers about news, sports, and stock prices.
Although in-car voice technology is still in its infancy, it represents significant advancements in the automotive industry. By offering a blend of convenience, safety, and practicality, in-car voice assistants appeal to a range of modern drivers.
Whether it's the advanced safety, hands-free control, or additional information they supply us, in-car voice control is here to stay.
As technology advances, voice control systems will become more intuitive and integrated, benefitting the driving experience even further.
Looking for more in-car tech news? Check out one of Nationwide Vehicle Contracts blogs, such as The Latest In-Car Entertainment Technology and The Impact of Privacy Concerns on Connected Car Technology.
We are also one of the UK's largest car leasing brokers, offering a range of car leasing deals to suit your every need. For more information, check out our leasing deals or call us on 0345 811 9595.
