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