Voice recognition

[PaulBendall]

Originally Posted by Milliner

Probably why Volvo (and possibly others) will go toward third party software 'specialists' such as Android.

On the face of it - it's a bit wasteful for each marque to spend millions on their own R&D even though ultimately, the drivers are looking for the same functions behind the car's UI, whatever the brand.

Think you have summed it up perfectly. Needs the every improving natural language orientated voice API available from the big four, Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Apple. Just a shame only one or maybe two don't use those searches to capture personal data for other purposes

[uro1]

You seem to forget that the "Big" solutions are all dependant on internet connection. They are better because the interpretation is computed on really big specialised servers and not in the device.

Personally I am very happy they do not use it as first I do not have continuous internet connection wherever I drive and second do not want my commands be send to some server farm. (And no I do not use either Alexa, Siri, or one of the others.)

[Milliner]

There would no doubt have to be some re-working for in-car systems. Each media platform has it's own benefits and drawbacks.

In-car systems would need some core commands baked in for when you're not connected, or if you choose not to be connected. I'd suggest that the big players would have far more expertise already however to enable a much greater degree of natural language (and regional accents) to be used rather than specific commands.

Also, there will be plenty of people happy (or non-plussed enough) to share their voice commands to enable the systems to improve any core functionality deliverable via a software update, much like Volvo do now.

[Quacker]

Core commands is what the cars already have. As long as Carplay and Android Auto has been specified, their systems are available already to supplement the car, but not to replace core commands and control. Would you really want an Apple server being certainly capable of taking control of your car and knowing your every move?

The real shame is that Volvo, unlike say Suzuki, dont give us Auto and CarPlay as standard, together with more USB ports of both types

[Milliner]

Originally Posted by Quacker

Core commands is what the cars already have. As long as Carplay and Android Auto has been specified, their systems are available already to supplement the car, but not to replace core commands and control. Would you really want an Apple server being certainly capable of taking control of your car and knowing your every move?

The real shame is that Volvo, unlike say Suzuki, dont give us Auto and CarPlay as standard, together with more USB ports of both types

Im talking about improving the in-car experience of the brand though - all brands - not just Volvo. Maybe, AA and CarPlay are the way to go - much cheaper for the brands to implement thats for sure, but at the moment it's feels more like an add-on or a workaround (which by the way is still subject to the 'Big Brother' concerns you have - albeit some companies collect far more data than others...)

My comment about core commands was that key car functions (media, phone etc.) would still need voice commands without an internet connection (or if you didn't want one). Surely it would still be more intuitive to use that what we currently have.

I'm talking about improving the car's system though. Volvo's voice control, in a world of Alexa and Siri is basic at best. It does a job - but sometimes poorly. My suggestion was rather that build something from scratch, rather poorly, partner with such companies and benefit from their massive expertise. It appears Volvo are - with Android.

I should, in 2019 nearly, be able to say to the car in natural language - "take me to the next services along the route" and for the car to read out the details (how far/long to get there) and add it to the map without me taking my eyes of the road. Surely. Volvo's current system is quite useless at this.

The alternative route choice is badly implemented too and should be read out to the driver rather than having to look down and be shown on the small drivers display map.

Everything should be accessible:

For ACC or PA2 - "set speed to xx mph"
"Are there delays ahead"
"What are my tire pressures"
"Save battery"
"What's the weather at my destination"
"Fog lamps on"
"Play the White Album on Spotify"
"Off road"
"Power mode"

I could go on.

I appreciate this isn't for everyone - a tech at Volvo was telling me a lot of customers, particularly the more mature client as he carefully put it, find the current Sensus system far too complicated and wants their buttons back.

However, I think this is because the system is half-baked as it is.

[Chief inspector]

2008, Alfa 159 knew every word I was saying, easy, except ‘home’ So I changed that designation in the address book and all was good (it needed to be it was the only control you had over some functions)

Mercedes E class Comand voice in 2012, didn’t understand a single word - ever.

2015 XC50, trained the voice, but never used it, as the Sensus wheel interface worked fine, heads up. Tests seemed to indicate reasonable functionality.

2018 V90, other than the climate, it doesn’t seem understand a damn thing, cant even switch between DAB and Spotify, dial a contact, change the radio, set a destination etc. This time we do really need it as you cant access very much on the screen without looking at it. Which is OK if youre running on PA on a straight road, but useless if youre putting a lot of drive input in.

Anyone care to post in this thread what they use it for thats of value?

[Quacker]

Originally Posted by Chief inspector

2008, in.

Anyone care to post in this thread what they use it for thats of value?

I think you need to read the thread again. Several of us have covered what we use it for and how to use it. While it has limitations, that means that it shouldn’t be too difficult for anyone to use. That some people can’t fathom it while others can, must mean something. It surely isn’t difficult to ask it for "help" or to watch the helpful videos Volvo have, demonstrating how to use it. Some people seem to expect it to learn from them. Did the rest of the car teach you how to drive or did you have to learn to do so and to conform to many rules and techniques?

[nu11eaf]

I agree that sometimes when you ask voice command to do something you just get "searching music and radio, what would you like to do" which is very frustrating but sometimes this is caused by other background noise while you are speaking your command.
But I suspect a great deal of peoples problems are caused simply by them not using the correct phrases.
The system is limited and can only react to the correct phrase, like "Call" home not "phone" home etc, using incorrect phrases will just get the above response and its no good asking it to do things its not programmed to do, like turn on 360° camera or turn off stop start, (we would all like these added)
As I said in my comment to the youtube video you might as well try ordering fish and chips as asking it to do things it is not programmed to do.
When I first bought my XC90 I had a problem with the navigation system not letting me put postcodes in, manually or via voice command, the global training manager came out and first thing he did was to say you are probably not using the correct phrases and took out a pile of A4 pages with all the phrases the system recognises, (after trying everything on my car with no success he tried it on the garage stock cars and none of them worked, there was a problem with my area postcodes not being recognised and Volvo had to do an update) but the point I am making is the training bit, we need to know and use the correct phrases for the system to work, his comprehensive list should be a supplement to the owners manual. Or is it there somewhere.

[Bernard F]

I get so annoyed when people are unable, unwilling or incapable of at least looking at the on line manual before complaining when they perceive that the system ie either at fault or useless.
In my MY18 manual there are over five pages devoted to Voice including the 60 words or phrases that it will respond to. It’s not too difficult to assume that if it is not in the list it won’t respond. It’s not that difficult to find what you want either. If you can download to Apple Books look in the index and touch the page number or subject and you are there. In addition you also have the car help command as previously mentioned.

[Chief inspector]

Originally Posted by Quacker

I think you need to read the thread again. Several of us have covered what we use it for and how to use it. While it has limitations, that means that it shouldn’t be too difficult for anyone to use. That some people can’t fathom it while others can, must mean something. It surely isn’t difficult to ask it for "help" or to watch the helpful videos Volvo have, demonstrating how to use it. Some people seem to expect it to learn from them. Did the rest of the car teach you how to drive or did you have to learn to do so and to conform to many rules and techniques?

Thank you for your rudeness, try conversing in a similar manner in person and see what happens.

I didn’t react when you posted utter nonsense in a tyre thread giving out bad advice, but I may do in future, then again, youre not really worth it if all you want to do is troll.