Nuance and BYD team up for automotive voice recognition

Nuance Communications and BYD, a domestic auto manufacturer in China have teamed up and introduced a new sedan, which leverages Nuance’s voice recognition technology.

Named the Si-Rui, the new sedan was launched at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show this month and allows users to control their in-car experience vocally. With command functions for the radio, TV and DVD player, media player and navigation system, the system does not appear to identify its users by voice.

Though not necessarily a biometric system, it is interesting to see voice technology being integrated into cars. Biometric identification in this application however, would seemingly add the ability to customize the in-car experience. For example, customization could include adjusting seat height between drivers, mirror angle, climate control, saved navigations (work, home, gym etc.), radio stations and who knows – maybe even a keyless start option for trusted and pre-registered users.

Nuance was unavailable to comment at the time of publishing regarding biometrics and this system, but an update will be provided.

According to data from IHS Global Insight, Chinese consumers are increasingly demanding sophisticated in-car infotainment features. Today, over 95 percent of new vehicles are equipped with audio systems and the adoption of navigation systems is expected to grow up to 25 percent by 2017.

“The breadth, flexibility and the performance behind Nuance’s voice technology is an organic extension of BYD’s mission for continuous automotive innovation in the Chinese market,” said Arnd Weil, vice president and general manager, automotive, Nuance Mobile. “Our collaboration with BYD further demonstrates our commitment to bringing humanized and compelling mobile experiences powered by voice to consumers across China.”

Reported previously in BiometricUpdate.com, Nuance has been recognized for its voice biometric solutions. In November, according to a report published by Opus Research, Nuance was highlighted as a leading provider of voice biometrics.

Barclay’s Wealth Investment Management has implemented a Nuance voice biometrics system in its call center to authenticate its users.  

Recently, Nuance launched a biometric password reset solution which allows users to reset passwords using a voice authentication system.  

Article Topics

automotive biometrics  |  Nuance Communications  |  voice recognition