More than 33 years after the popular American TV show Knight Rider showed David Hasselhoff talking to his car KITT, Volvo and Microsoft are launching a wearable-enabled voice control system that will allow you to interact with your Volvo via a wrist band.
Volvo owners will be able to talk to their car via their Microsoft Band 2, allowing them to instruct their vehicle to perform tasks including, setting the navigation, starting the heater, locking the doors, flashing the lights or sounding the horn via Volvo’s mobile app Volvo on Call and the connected wearable device.
The Microsoft Band 2 is the second automotive technology developed in collaboration between the two companies following the HoloLens technology.
“Volvo is intent on making the car experience as easy and convenient as possible by utilising the latest technology in the most relevant and inspiring ways. With voice control we are only just beginning to scratch the surface of what is possible with digital assistant functionalities,” said Thomas Müller, Vice President Electrics/ Electronics & E-Propulsion at Volvo Car Group.
“When innovating we are not interested in technology for the sake of technology. If a technology does not make a customer’s life easier, better, safer or more fun, we don’t use it. Let’s face it – who hasn’t dreamed of talking to their car via a wrist worn wearable?” said Klas Bendrik Senior Vice President and Group Chief Information Officer at Volvo Car Group.
The Microsoft Band 2 is expected to be available for customers in Volvo on Call enabled markets in spring 2016.
