A New Car
Well, today, I have the unexpected luxury of driving a brand new Cadillac. I actually did not buy this car, I am renting it for a couple of days, until my car, which is a Honda Civic, gets outfitted with a brand new bumper. My Civic is rather old fashioned, as it is a 2003 model. It is all manual, which I like. I like things which are simple and easy to use, and which can be easily fixed, if the need arises (it also means less cost for repair). I knew that with a brand new rented car, the technology would be very advanced, but when I got into the rental Cadillac, I was totally taken aback but just how advanced it really is.
For example, I am so used to the manual way of turning on the headlights in my Civic, I was totally blown away that the headlights in the Cadillac are all automatic. Meaning, the lights turn on and off automatically, whenever the sensor detects that there is a diminishment in light, or if there are any adverse weather conditions. Also, I was equally blown away by the fact there is also a sensor in the car which can actually determine the speed limits on the roads you are driving on, and even displays the net speed if you are going above the limit. And another fancy feature: When backing up, sensors go off if you are coming to close to another car, or if there is any other obstruction in your way. So yea, these are all fancy things, but today, I came across a Press Release which could kick up the level of high tech even just one more notch: Yep, the use of Biometrics.
A major Voice Biometrics Vendor known as “Nuance” has announced a strategic partnership with the Ford Motor Company to bring Voice Recognition to the next generation of car. The details: “Ford and Nuance are testing a number of new algorithms, based on intent and meaning, for the voice recognition system in Ford SYNC that is powered by Nuance voice solutions. These new techniques can flag common words and phrases that drivers might typically use in conversation, yet are not the specific commands or syntax required by today’s SYNC system. By interpreting or understanding the user’s request, SYNC will be able to execute the command or respond by coaching the user down the correct command pathway . . . With each generation of SYNC, we have learned more about how drivers use the voice recognition system, and have continuously refined it so customers can do more and say more to get their tasks done more quickly and efficiently . . . With intent, we are examining how to take our voice recognition to the next level of command and control, helping further reduce the learning curve and improving ease of use – and ultimately building higher customer satisfaction. In the end, we want the user’s wish to be the system’s command . . . New SYNC owner market research, conducted by Ford, shows that acceptance among owners of voice recognition continues to grow, with more than 85 percent of owners now using voice control while driving. That’s up from 70 percent in the initial study conducted in the fall of 2010.” (SOURCE: http://www.findbiometrics.com/industry-news/i/9068/).
Final Thoughts On Today’s Posting
True, this really should come to of no surprise to me, by any means. I have written about the use of Biometrics before in cars, with the specific example being of using Fingerprint Recognition to lock and unlock your car, and yes, even start your car. But, I never thought of Voice Recognition being used in this regard. Yea, this does blow me away a little bit. Although this Voice Recognition solution cannot take complete command of your car, from the best of my understanding, it allows you to have some basic control, such as adjusting audio settings (those in regards to listening to music), adjusting the temperature of your vehicle, and making cellular and wireless calls.
But the purpose of this Biometrics Solution is to give the ability to the driver to specifically tell the vehicle on board computers what to do, rather than having the computer to guess it, and it if it is wrong, having the driver to repeat the commands each and every time, thus causing more confusion, and frustration on part of the driver. In other words, the driver should be able to say what they want done in the car, and the computer should be able to understand immediately, and perform it without fail. In this solution, this is known as “intent based technology.” There are other variables which are being examined which will allow the driver to execute even more sophisticated commands, especially when it comes to things like climate control, and even navigation control. Also, there is a strong demand for this technology, as the above statistics in the quote prove it. For example, there is a 70 percent increase in the demand for it in 2011 versus 2010, according to a recent survey. Really, in the end, all this is about is developing neural network like algorithms which can guess the thought process of the driver with minimal effort and time needed.
My view??? Well, yea, all this is great and fancy, but my concern is that the automobile of today is becoming far too technologically advanced, and if something goes wrong, there could be a cascading failure among the whole car if any electronics breaks down. This will only translate into further expense for the driver should any electronic component needs to be replaced. Also, what if the computer misinterprets a driver’s command, and does something else, causing a serious accident??? In fact, I was just talking about this with my close friend Dennis. He has a truck with all of these fancy, electronic gizmos, and to fix the wiping mechanism, he has to replace the entire electronic mechanism. The bottom line: Increased out of pocket expenses, if you don’t want insurance to cover it, then your expenses will be increased. So, back to my Honda, all that needed replacement is my front bumper. Now imagine, if my front bumper, had all those fancy electronics sensors attached to it: Yep, you got it…HUGE $$$$ in expenses!!! Let’s hope the car of the future stays simple, and easy to fix, even though it will be outfitted with tons of fancy gizmos and electronics.
Life is a gamble. You can get hurt, but despite of people crashes, due to the car accidents in almost every day happened, still a lot of them buying more brand new car as well. They don't even think of some accidents, they enjoying driving a car safely of course. You just don't let yourself believe it will happen to you.
Posted by: help desk support | July 03, 2011 at 07:35 PM
It would be awesome to rent a Cadillac, if only for a day. :) Anyway, I agree with you that cars nowadays are quite technologically advanced. Well, it is best to adjust and adapt with developments. After all, these new technologies are designed to make the driving experience more pleasurable. Please do include a photo of your newly repaired car on your next post. Thanks!
Posted by: Tyra Shortino | December 13, 2011 at 02:31 PM