Siri, the voice assistant on Apple iOS devices is now integrated into cars and can take voice commands while driving!
General Motors, the US based car maker, has announced that Siri will be integrated into the software in its Chevrolet Spark and Sonic cars from 2013.
Siri on Iphone interacts with the cars’ Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system - thereby working in “Eyes Free mode” as the driver need not look at the iPhone screen.
The press release mentions car owners need to have a “compatible iPhone running iOS 6”. There is nothing mentioned if iPad can be used.
How does it work ?
- The driver first pairs the iPhone with the car’s MyLink system via Bluetooth.
- Pressing the voice activation button on the steering wheel starts and ends Siri on the iPhone (instead of long pressing the home button on the iPhone).
What all can Siri do in Eyes Free mode ?
In this mode, Siri can make hands free calls ; compose and send messages; schedule appointments; play songs.
However, Siri cannot answer questions involving browsing web pages etc.
Watch the video showing how Siri works in Chevrolet Spark :
So, what can we expect next ?
With Chevrolet starting the integration of Siri into its cars, it is quite likely that all the other car makers too soon start integrating with iOS, Android and Windows devices.
In the future it might as well be possible that the car infotainment systems use the same OS as those in smart phones like iOS or Android. Renault, the French vehicle maker, is coming with an infotainment system, known as R-Link, based on Google's Android operating system (OS).
So, when the OS in a car’s system is same as the car owner’s smartphone it is quite easy to have a seamless integration between the car and the smartphone.
[via GM] [image © General Motors]
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