Simulator research has been undertaken on the applications of automatic speech recognition technology in road vehicles. The paper draws on some past UK research and relates the lessons learned to future voice-operated driver systems. Automatic speech recognition should reduce in-vehicle distractions, enhancing safety. With appropriate system design, the time to execute some control functions should also be reduced. The additional modality will provide the designer with valuable flexibility for optimising the human interface to an increasing number and diversity of driver operated systems, offering the potential for better procedures and better inventory and lay-out of the driver's controls and displays. These benefits can be expected to result in improved driving standards and have provided the motivation for considerable work on noise compensation, which can be transferred to road transport.
Abstract