The problem with most voice-recognition systems in modern cars is the stilted, unnatural commands required to execute even the simplest functions. Cadillac is supposedly working on bringing more natural voice commands to market with CUE, but Pioneer and its new Zypr voice-to-cloud platform aims to take it a step further.

Utilizing a tethered smartphone or embedded modem, the new system listens and acts on commands based on conversational direction. Say, “Play some music” and Zypr responses with “Which artist?” or “Which source?” Tell the system “I’m in the mood for Thai” and it will list off the nearest restaurants, provide Yelp ratings and allow you to get directions and email the address to your friends. Facebook and Google integration is also part of the package, and since it’s all handled in the cloud, the expansion of sources and options is infinite. And Zypr won’t just be limited to cars.

Pioneer wants the technology to find its way into every consumer electronics device on the market (for obvious licensing reasons), and with Apple’s Siri functionality on the iPhone 4S putting a new emphasis on natural speech recognition, consumers will be demanding similar tech in almost everything they own within the next few years.

Source: Pioneer

Mercedes-Benz is preparing its new splitview monitor for the S-Class. It, on one screen will show GPS to the driver and movies to the passenger. The new feature will be launched in 2009.

If you’ve ever sat in the passenger seat of a vehicle with navigation and wished you could watch movies on it, your time is coming soon. Mercedes-Benz and Bosch are working on a Splitview navigation screen for the S-Class that features an eight-inch screen that displays two images at once courtesy of new adjacent pixel technology. The system only allows the driver to see navigation and COMAND controls, while the passenger sits back in S-Class luxury watching the movie of his or her choosing. The front passenger can also choose to listen to the movie with high-end headphones, or the soundtrack can be played through the car’s speakers.

Mercedes new Splitview monitor is no far-off concept either. It will be featured in the S-Class beginning in the summer of 2009. We’ve seen similar technology from from other OEMs and suppliers in the past, but Mercedes is the first luxury automaker to officially announce the technology in one of its production vehicles.

PRESS RELEASE

In future Mercedes-Benz is equipping its luxury class models as the first premium brand with a display screen that allows the driver and front passenger to view two different programmes at the same time. While the driver is checking the navigation instructions, the front passenger can sit back and watch a film on the very same display. This is made possible by new SPLITVIEW technology which the Stuttgart premium brand is introducing in the S-Class for the first time. Mercedes-Benz has integrated the new SPLITVIEW technology developed by Mercedes-Benz and Bosch into the innovative control and display system COMAND, which is centrally located in the dashboard console. Its generously dimensioned, 8-inch (approx. 20 mm) monitor shows a backlighted active matrix colour display (TFT-LCD). This shows two different images simultaneously by placing pixels adjacent to each other. A filter masking the display divides this mixed image in such a way that depending on the seating position, only the pixels making up one or the other image can be seen. As a result, the driver and front passenger can view different programmes on the same screen at the same time.The driver still has access to all the information from the control and display system COMAND on the display, while the front passenger uses the remote control to choose his own entertainment programme with DVDs, TV channels or music videos. To avoid distracting the driver with his entertainment programme, he also has the option of enjoying the programme via headphones. As before, the driver is able to view all the information provided by the COMAND system on the display. Mercedes-Benz is introducing the new SPLITVIEW technology in the S-Class for the first time in summer 2009.

Source Autoblog

iDrive from BMW was the victim of much criticism and it seems with their most recent dashboard upgrade, it may have been worked out. Ditching prior compass-based interfacing, the new iDrive employs a hierarchical vertical menu system, like the iPod, mixing it with an Xbox 360 interface. Apart from the faster navigation this provides, they have also included new features to make it faster and more useful:

• The iDrive knob is surrounded by seven buttons to give quick access to: CD, main menu, phone, radio, navigation, options screen, and “go back”.
• 8.8-inch widescreen display. It’s not a touchscreen because thinks it’s more comfortable and safe to use the knob (I completely agree with this in car. And it’s cleaner).
• Voice recognition system is now better thanks to a new faster processor.
• There’s a central area in the interface that shows the selected function with an easy to identify icon.
• If you connect the iPod, you will get a similar navigation by track, album, and artist.
• Rips CDs or copy music files through USB.
• GPS function allows for two views (like a general flat map and a closer 3D view).
• New alphanumeric keyboard in a circle, which is faster and easier to control with the iDrive knob.
• Users can “hack” their iDrive with custom programs that previously only dealers could change.

If you are planning to get a BMW, you will find the iDrive 4.0 in the 2009 3 Series and 1 Series as a $2,000 option, or standard next spring in the 7 Series.

Source: gizmodo.com

Pioneer is introducing navigation systems that will avoid the high price of gas by directing drivers to less expensive stations – the brand new Pioneer AVIC-F series.

With navigation systems that not only help you find the shortest route to your destination, but also gives you updated traffic information from MSN direct, the AVIC F-series can help you pinpoint and redirect around the stop-and-go traffic that burns through gas.

And when you are running low on gas, you can use MSN® Direct to find the nearest gas stations so that don’t waste gas searching for the nearest fill-up spot.

But that’s not all. The AVIC-F series also shows you gas prices at nearby stations. The most valuable feature for drivers looking to save on gas, the AVIC-F series displays gas price information from MSN® Direct so you can compare prices and fill up for less.