| Dearborn automaker Ford is in the middle | | | | customers the most advanced speech |
| of its turnaround plan after it has seen | | | | enabled solutions, our portable |
| its share in the United States auto | | | | navigation solutions in the aftermarket |
| market slide. Part of its turnaround | | | | also allow destination entry and control |
| plan is to develop green vehicles which | | | | by voice." |
| consumers are asking for. Another step | | | | With the technology developed by |
| taken by Ford to attract more consumers | | | | Blaupunkt and powered by Nuance, |
| is teaming up with Nuance | | | | consumers can simply say the address of |
| Communications, one of the leaders in | | | | their destination and the navigation |
| speech and imaging solutions. This | | | | system will readily read out all |
| partnership is geared towards making | | | | information needed by the driver. Other |
| Ford vehicles safer and more | | | | navigational system requires drivers to |
| user-friendly. | | | | type in the address of their destination |
| With Nuance's technology, consumers will | | | | which can distract the driver while |
| be less at risk of being distracted when | | | | driving. Another new feature for Ford |
| using Ford car's phone, as well as | | | | vehicles is the one push phone call. By |
| navigation and entertainment systems. | | | | pushing the "push to talk" button on the |
| With drivers always tinkering with | | | | steering wheel and saying the number or |
| different in-car systems, there is a | | | | the name of the phonebook entry, the |
| bigger chance of being distracted and | | | | system will dial the number. |
| getting into an accident. With Nuance, | | | | Steve Chambers, the president for Mobile |
| this can be cut down to a minimum as the | | | | and Consumer Services Division at |
| company provides text to speech | | | | Nuance, said: "Nuance has a long |
| technologies, and speech recognition. | | | | history of working with Ford. Now with |
| According to the automaker, these | | | | the advanced speech technology in the |
| technologies developed by Nuance will be | | | | Blaupunkt navigation solution, we are |
| available to European car buyers from | | | | able to offer drivers a safer |
| December this year. The Ford C-MAX and | | | | alternative to the drivers' distraction |
| the Ford Focus will become the first | | | | created by the use of navigation systems |
| Ford vehicles to receive this cutting | | | | in cars. With the voice user interface, |
| edge feature. The Ford Mondeo, Ford | | | | powered by Nuance Automotive, drivers no |
| Galaxy, and the Ford S-Max will also be | | | | longer need to take their eyes off the |
| equipped with said feature. | | | | road or their hands from the wheel to |
| Joachim Creutzburg, the Marketing | | | | dial their phone, enter an address to |
| Director Original Equipment from | | | | the navigation system or control their |
| Blaupunkt, a subsidiary of Bosch which | | | | audio system." |
| helped Ford develop the Human Machine | | | | This feature in the future will not only |
| Interface said: "We recognize the | | | | be available for Ford vehicles as other |
| importance of speech technology to make | | | | automakers are sure to follow suit. |
| telematics, navigation and infotainment | | | | Luxury vehicles like Acuras with Acura |
| solutions safer and easier to control. | | | | body parts can be expected to have this |
| Not only do we offer our automotive | | | | feature soon. |