Voice Technology Makes Inroads Among Drivers
Jan 9, 2002 (NewsFactor.com via COMTEX) -- That person in the next car who appears to be talking to himself could soon be doing more than making hands-free cell phone calls. Voice-recognition technology in the works could turn most in-car entertainment and information functions -- from playing MP3s and video to using the Internet -- into completely button-free experiences.
The technology has already shown up on the voice-activated Eclipse MP3 Changer, on display at this week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. The device is being marketed by car-audio system maker Fujitsu Ten and is based on technology developed by e.Digital Corp.
Steve Ferguson, e.Digital's vice president of sales and marketing, told TechExtreme that the in-dash MP3 and CD player includes a 20-gigabyte hard drive, the equivalent of having a 200-CD changer installed in the car.
High-Tech 'Infotainment'
Officials said Fujitsu Ten and e.Digital have collaborated for several months to develop state-of-the-art, car-based "infotainment" systems integrating digital audio, voice recognition, data storage, video and wireless Internet technologies under the Eclipse brand name.
The voice-recognition technology is similar to that developed by e.Digital for a portable digital music player that it introduced in 2001. Rather than scrolling manually through selections, the technology lets users pick folders and titles by speaking out loud.
On the Eclipse system, the voice technology currently controls only the MP3 Changer, but it could eventually be extended to operate complete in-car audio, driver navigation, video and Internet systems.
Getting More Vocal
"We see a lot of other potential products coming from this partnership," Ferguson said.
Vannin Gale, senior marketing manager for the Eclipse brand, said Fujitsu Ten expects the arrangement to yield more voice-activated products for cars.
These would integrate audio systems with interactive video, navigation, e-mail and other functions, Gale said.
Home Connections Coming
According to Jim Collier, e.Digital's chief operating officer, the integration could yield a single voice-activated system that controls the audio equipment in the car as well as the cell phone, the on-board global positioning system (GPS) and video players.
"Technology development will include navigation and control, as well as wireless access and integration with home networks," Collier said.
In November, e.Digital introduced its MXP 100, a portable, voice-activated digital music player. The pocket-sized device, which doubles as a voice recorder, was developed with support from IBM (NYSE: IBM), and high-end versions can store more than 20 CDs -- or up to 32 hours worth of music and voice files -- on a 1-gigabyte drive.
U.S. officials of Fujitsu Ten, based in Torrance, California, could not be reached for comment on pricing, availability and features of the MP3 Changer.
By Lou Hirsh
URL: www.eclipse-web.com
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