Volvo Cars and Microsoft enable voice control
Volvo and Microsoft are launching a wearable-enabled voice-control system.
Volvo owners will be able to talk to their car via their 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.
‘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,’ said Thomas Müller, vice president electrics/electronics and e-propulsion at Volvo Car Group.
‘Our ongoing partnership with Volvo continues to bring ground-breaking technology to enhance the automotive experience,’ said Peggy Johnson, executive vice president of business development at Microsoft. ‘Together with Volvo, we’re just beginning to understand the potential that technology has to improve driver safety and productivity.’
In November 2015, 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.
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 in spring 2016.
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