07 Jul 08 15:34
Using in-car speech recognition software is safer than manually controlling cabin functions, reports a survey by guess who? a maker of in-car speech-recognition technology.
Nuance Communications says drivers are up to 12 times less likely to swerve, and have three times better reactions times, when giving verbal commands to music, navigation and phone systems in their cars.
The study, carried out by the Braunschweig Technical University, Germany, put 30 drivers on a simulator to test their ability to keep a straight course and change lanes while operating music/MP3 players, making phone calls and setting addresses on a sat nav system.
Researchers found that the drivers were 39% better at maintaining a good position on the road while using speech-recognition controls than when manually dialling. The drivers were 50% more distracted when manually selecting music, taking more than twice as long to change lanes, and an incredible 600% more likely to swerve within a single lane.
When using speech-recognition sat nav, the drivers were ten times less likely to swerve within a single lane, and 30% less likely to deviate when changing lanes. Overall reaction times were consistently better, and drivers were up to 300% more likely to keep their eyes on the road.
