In+conversation+with+SIRI+-+A+story+about+In-Car+telematics

She woke up an hour earlier than usual. It was a special and an extremely important day. Ever since she came to Delhi from Dehradun with dreams of a successful career as an auto journalist, she was only hunting. Hunting for a house, hunting for food, hunting for a job and surviving on the little money her mother had managed to give her. But in less than a month and no job in hand the money was soon depleting. But the biggest help came from unexpected quarters. Her friend from school, now settled in Delhi gave her a car and her spare iPhone for a month. And it was her that managed to fix her first job interview for her dream job.

For Shanu, this was the first step towards her dreams becoming a reality. So as soon as she hopped out of her bed, she furnished her face with adequate make up and appropriate clothes. The decision was tough. White shirt black pants, pink shirt black skirt? Linen or mixed? Indian or western? Decision taken. Slick in her formal clothes while munching on her cornflakes it struck her : She didn’t know where the office was and how to reach there. The choice was either to prepare for the interview as an auto journalist or to find her route. The choice was simple. Get into the car and let SIRI do the job.

Shanu: Hi SIRI.

SIRI: Hi! How are you today?

Shanu: Nervous. I have a job interview and don’t know the directions to the office.

SIRI:Would you like me to map out the route from our current location?

Shanu: That would be wonderful SIRI. I know you could help.

SIRI: Go straight 300 meters.

Shanu follows SIRI’s driving instructions for a while as she gets comfortable. A little later she suddenly remembers she needs to brush up the latest in technology and cars and auto.

Shanu: SIRI, can you multi – task?

SIRI: Yes I can. What else would you like me to do Shanu?

Shanu:Tell me what is creating a lot of buzz in the auto industry? What is news?

SIRI: I am news.

Shanu: You are? Really? How?

SIRI: My CEO, Tim Cook, announced at the World Web Developers Conference, that I will be a part of 9 car manufacturers.

Shanu: Wow! You know come to think of it. It makes so much sense. You are so flawless in your interaction. It’s brilliant to get natural language telematics to vehicles. So what manufacturers are chatting up with you? Tell me more

SIRI: BMW, Audi, Chrysler, Honda, General Motors, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes - Benz and Toyota were all listed as planning to bring my functionalities to wares.

At the keynote, they showed me on a slide that had a BMW dashboard with an iPhone mounted on the front and the center illustrated the “Eyes-Free” approach of the integration. Well, I am guessing that I will be next to the existing voice buttons but that could vary from car to car, but many already include Bluetooth controls for answering phone calls, disconnecting calls, and activating in-vehicle voice command systems.

Shanu: That is going to be awesome. Right now we manually enter our destinations into the GPS, labour through complicated voice – activated menu system to do even simple things like changing a radio station, or disconnecting a call. But with you at the fingertips of a driver, and with your talent of speaking so naturally, theoretically drivers will be able to keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road to minimize distracted driving. I guess that is exactly what ‘Eyes Free’ approach is all about.

SIRI: Yes and also the big news is that I have broken up with Google maps. I will now be going around with what Apple has designed in house.

Shanu:Well that is great but what about the maps per say. How will you get those?

SIRI: Oh for that we have tied up with a company called TomTom. They would be my guiding light, providing me with the maps information.

Shanu: Ah! So that is where you will get your direction sense from. So SIRI tell me, where to turn next and how far I am from NDTV office? I can’t be late.

SIRI: There is traffic signal 500 Meters away. Take right. You are currently 10 minutes away.

Shanu: Thank you. I shall be in time so its great. So SIRI tell me something, are these in- car integrations only for iPhone users?

SIRI:Yes pretty much. It’s just what Apple does best. Integrate all its devices wherever it goes and with whatever it does.

Shanu: Well yeah I know that. It’s definitely great news for iPhone 4S users. But don’t feel too bad when I say that Android and Windows phone users aren't entirely left out of the equation.

SIRI:Oh no I am not jealous. I know I am the best.

Shanu: Yes of course. I want you to convert this information into a blog.

SIRI: Done

Shanu: That was quick. Now write as I continue the blog.

There are many SIRI-like voice command could be coming to many cars. There is competition to in - car voice control integrations.

Nuance, which provides the technology powering SIRI, is also working with auto manufacturers to integrate similar natural language voice-activated telematics in vehicles. The company released its handset-neutral Dragon Drive product last month. Although the company has not commented on the manufacturers that have opted to integrate this platform in their new models, consumers should begin seeing this, in cars launching next summer.

How will it really compare to the SIRI is something that we will have to wait and watch. But there are working models of natural language telematics in vehicles which are not bad either. For example Ford uses Microsoft SYNC.

It is simple and intuitive. It also hands- free calling and has audible text messaging while you keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.

To get started all you have to do is simply pair your Bluetooth enabled phone to SYNC. And that might explain why Ford, Hyundai and KIA are not a part of the 9 manufacturers that will use SIRI. Because they use the rival Microsoft based voice recognition platforms.

SIRI: You have reached your destination. NDTV.

Shanu:Oh SIRI don’t feel so jealous. You are still my best bet at reaching my interview on time. Plus you have given me enough fodder for the interview.

SIRI: Thank you. All the best!

Shanu: Thank you SIRI. I’ll be back soon.

Shanu felt confident as she walked in to the room of her possible future boss. She shared her information on in - car entertainment possibilities in the future. After a short and crisp interview she was handed over her appointment letter. And that was the beginning of living happily ever after.