My car, a Hyundai Genesis has the voice command interface, and it does work
pretty well. However, I had an opportunity to rent a brand new Ford
Explorer with the My Ford Touch system, and I have to say, the car is
dangerous. Yes, the voice interface works pretty well. However, a new user
of the car, or in my case, someone who rents it, just wants to get the thing
going and get the heater to work and maybe the radio. This interface is a
pure smooth touch screen with very sensitive controls. I messed up the car
for days just feeling the dash because I didn't know it was a touch
interface. Basic things like the floor vents were buried in the menu system
two levels down, and not where one would expect. Floor vents are used for
heat, yet this was under air conditioning. There was no way to drive the car
safely and manipulate these controls. Test after test has shown that
drivers, still prefer buttons which they can activate without having to
look. Voice commands are fine for a second control system but are only
useful after a learning curve. Touch screens in a car should be outlawed.
One other gripe. It has always been true, but as these cars have advanced,
they are taking away the ability of the front seat passenger to control
anything. The voice command button is always on the steering wheel with no
button a passenger can reach. Even the controls are being steadily moved to
address the driver, or worse placed on the drivers door. As a life long
passenger, but the person who actually buys the cars, I find this really
annoying.
-----Original Message-----
From: Visually Impaired Computer Users' Group List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Christopher Chaltain
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2012 1:33 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [VICUG-L] Eyes free interfaces [was "Re: [VICUG-L] Can Braille Be
Faster Than QWRTY?"]
I actually think there's been a lot of progress in this area. Several auto
manufacturers include systems with voice recognition. Ford includes MS Sync
in many of their lines of cars, and other manufacturers have similar
systems. You see them advertised on TV all of the time. Rockbox, an open
source replacement for your MP3 player's firmware, has had an eyes free
interface for years. The GPS I have in my family's cars includes both voice
recognition and voice output. Apple's iPhones just recently came out with a
voice recognition system. Granted, we're not talking to our cars and devices
like they do in Star Trek or the Jetson's, but I think it's definitely
moving past the gimicky phase and turning into something practical for
sighted drivers. Like anything, the technology needs to work, be simple to
use and then people will need time to get used to it and adjust.
On 21/02/12 09:57, Angel wrote:
> What amazes me is:
> Despite the crack down on texting drivers; with the idea looking at
> the phone while texting causes accidents. Sighted people haven't
> embraced the speaking interface.
> As was suggested they might when speaking devices were first
> introduced. I find this interesting.
--
Christopher (CJ)
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