Carmaker confirms voice control by summer 2010

(Kia Motors)

Kia has announced that a voice-controlled entertainment system will be included on new models sold from summer 2010.

Kia UVO (short for Your Voice) will enable drivers to use voice commands to communicate or select media, removing the need to take their eyes off the road. The firm claims that the interactive voice monitoring system will remove the need for complex menus and can respond to grammatically-varied driver or passenger questions such as "what's playing?". It will then be able to respond with audible answers, such as providing a track name or reading text messages.

For users unable or unwilling to use the voice controls, UVO will include a 4.3 inch display to show media content or phonebook entries, that doubles as a rear-view camera when the vehicle is put into reverse. Kia vehicles already include Bluetooth wireless technology connectivity, iPod/MP3/USB connectivity and SIRIUS® satellite radio.

UVO will be demonstrated at this month's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, before debuting in the US-edition 2011 Kia Sorento CUV this summer. Kia is the latest manufacturer to include systems based on Microsoft Windows Embedded Auto, already in use in the Fiat Blue&Me and Ford SYNC systems.