Kia Motors America has teamed up with Microsoft to develop what it calls Kia UVO, short for ‘Your Voice,’ which allows drivers to manage hands-free mobile phones and music files by voice.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The system debuts at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show which opens in Las Vegas on 7 January and will become available on some Kia models from next summer.
Co-developed with Microsoft and based on Windows Embedded Auto software, UVO is said to be an easy-to-use, hands-free technology that allows drivers and passengers to answer and place phone calls, receive and respond to SMS text messages, access music from a variety of media sources and create custom music experiences.
UVO users will be able to access media content and connect through simple, quick voice commands without having to navigate through menus. By supporting complex grammar, UVO needs only short voice commands to connect drivers and passengers with their desired functions. An interactive system, UVO responds to inquiries such as “What’s playing?” and provides audible answers and related functions, helping to keep drivers’ eyes focused on the road ahead of them.
The UVO interface features a 4.3-inch, full-colour display that provides detailed information on media content, phonebook data and vehicle information, and the screen also doubles as a rear-view camera when reverse gear is engaged.
UVO is an open platform that integrates with a wide variety of mobile phones, music players and other devices, making it easy for drivers to quickly pair devices.
Unlike Ford’s Sync technology, UVO does not offer turn-by-turn directions. Kia has not said how much UVO will cost buyers; Ford’s Sync costs from about US$400.
