Chrissie Thompson
Automotive News
September 28, 2009 - 12:01 am ET
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ford researches voice-to-text technology
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.
This car will be on display all day today at Kansas City's best dealer, Thoroughbred Ford . This evening from 5-8PM we will be having the Premiere of the all new 2010 Ford Taurus, and we will have a 2011 Ford Fiesta for your viewing pleasure.These people are all talking about the new Taurus. You can see the new Taurus and the new Fiesta at Thoroughbred Ford on Monday 6/15/09 starting at 5:00 PM and ending at 8:00. Come on by see the cars and get some ice cream.
