Called "Voice Recognition Pro" within the NAVIGON 8110, it is the first implementation of Nuance VoCon 3200 with "Single Confirmation Address Entry" - a new capability that lets users enter their complete target address - city, street and house number - in a single voice command.
The new feature enables voice destination entry in a unique, fast and easy way. Users activate the voice input feature by pushing once a single button on the touch screen display and state the destination city, street and house number without having to confirm each entry. The speech system simply prompts the user for a single confirmation at the end of the entry process and the navigation starts immediately.
"The new NAVIGON 8110 navigation devices combine an exclusive design with the very latest technology at an attractive price. It allows drivers to enter their destination verbally without touching any buttons. Speech recognition improves drivers' concentration in traffic and thereby offers additional safety", explained Peter Scheufen, Chairman of the Board of NAVIGON AG.
A recent study commissioned by Nuance confirmed demand for these new features in satellite navigation systems. As part of this study, more than three hundred vehicle drivers in Germany described their behavior when using the main in-car features and assessed a range of voice-based functions.
German respondents cited voice-activated prompts as one of the most important functions: 88 percent believed that voice-based navigation increased safety and the same number again pointed out the improved user friendliness of the navigation system.
Arnd Weil, general manager, Automotive and PND Business Unit at Nuance, added: "Nearly all major manufacturers of mobile navigation devices and the top 10 car manufacturers choose speech technology from Nuance. Speech technology can add significant value to end-users and allow drivers to combine on-road safety and personal convenience."
Weil continued, "We have seen new speech features being added to PNDs at an aggressive pace. In addition to voice destination entry, we expect other speech-enabled functions on the devices, such as controlling the phone or selecting music by voice, to become the next level of differentiating features."