Tasks you can instruct your Volvo to perform
- Set the navigation
- Start the heater
- Lock the doors
- Flash the lights
- Sound the horn
LOTS of people talk to their cars but Volvo has teamed up with Microsoft for a remote system in which the car actually responds – and it’s not some futuristic concept but about to arrive now!
More than 33 years after the popular fictional American TV show Knight Rider had David ‘The Hoff’ Hasselhoff as Michael Knight talking to his car KITT, Volvo has science fact voice control thanks to Microsoft and are launching a wearable-enabled voice-control system.
KITT – the acronym for Knight Industries Two Thousand – was an artificially intelligent electronic computer module in the body of a highly advanced robotic car based originally on a 1982 Pontiac Trans Am.
But now Volvo owners will be able to talk to their car via their watch-like Microsoft Band 2, allowing them to instruct their vehicle to perform tasks including setting the navigation, starting the heater, locking the doors, flashing the lights or sounding the horn via Volvo’s mobile app, Volvo on Call, and the connected wearable device.
To see the video for an idea of how it operates, click below.
It was last November that Volvo and Microsoft announced their high-profile collaboration with the first automotive application of HoloLens technology.
HoloLens is the world’s first fully untethered holographic computer, which could be used in future to redefine how customers first encounter, explore and even buy their car.
Now the two companies are delivering remote voice control for Volvo cars via the Microsoft Band 2 as another proof-point in their ambition to jointly develop next-generation automotive technologies.
With voice control, we are only just beginning to scratch the surface of what is possible with digital assistant functionalities
Thomas Müller, vice president electrics/electronics and E-propulsion at Volvo Car Group, said: “Volvo is intent on making the car experience as easy and convenient as possible by utilising the latest technology in the most relevant and inspiring ways.
“With voice control, we are only just beginning to scratch the surface of what is possible with digital assistant functionalities.”
In recent times, Volvo Cars has begun to focus closely on innovations outside the traditional automotive arena, keen on opening up potential partnerships and new business models.
Klas Bendrik, Volvo’s senior vice president and group chief information officer, added: “When innovating, we are not interested in technology for the sake of technology. If a technology does not make a customer’s life easier, better, safer or more fun, we don’t use it.
“Let’s face it – who hasn’t dreamed of talking to their car via a wrist-worn wearable?”
Microsoft’s executive vice president of business development Peggy Johnson said: “Our ongoing partnership with Volvo continues to bring ground-breaking technology to enhance the automotive experience.
“Together with Volvo, we’re just beginning to understand the potential that technology has to improve driver safety and productivity.”
The new possibility to connect to a Volvo with voice control through Microsoft Band 2 will be available for customers in Volvo on Call-enabled markets this spring, 2016.
