Automotive

Kia teams with Microsoft to develop the UVO voice controlled in-car infotainment system

Kia teams with Microsoft to develop the UVO voice controlled in-car infotainment system
The Kia UVO in-car infotainment system
The Kia UVO in-car infotainment system
View 13 Images
The Kia Sorento which will feature the UVO system
1/13
The Kia Sorento which will feature the UVO system
The Kia Sorento which will feature the UVO system
2/13
The Kia Sorento which will feature the UVO system
The Kia Sorento which will feature the UVO system
3/13
The Kia Sorento which will feature the UVO system
The Kia UVO in-car infotainment system
4/13
The Kia UVO in-car infotainment system
The Kia UVO in-car infotainment system
5/13
The Kia UVO in-car infotainment system
The Kia Sorento which will feature the UVO system
6/13
The Kia Sorento which will feature the UVO system
The Kia UVO in-car infotainment system
7/13
The Kia UVO in-car infotainment system
The Kia UVO in-car infotainment system
8/13
The Kia UVO in-car infotainment system
The Kia UVO in-car infotainment system
9/13
The Kia UVO in-car infotainment system
The Kia UVO in-car infotainment system
10/13
The Kia UVO in-car infotainment system
The Kia UVO in-car infotainment system
11/13
The Kia UVO in-car infotainment system
The Kia UVO in-car infotainment system
12/13
The Kia UVO in-car infotainment system
13/13
View gallery - 13 images

In addition to its recent 7-year / 150,000km warranty announcement, Kia has created further interest with the announcement of its UVO in-car voice and touch activated communication and entertainment system. Developed in collaboration with Microsoft and based on Windows Embedded Auto software, the UVO (short for “your voice”) system incorporates speech recognition designed to keep a driver’s attention focused on the road ahead. Users are able to direct the system via short voice commands such as “Call Chris” or “Who’s playing?” and speech recognition profiles can be created for two different voices in several languages.

The UVO interface features a 4.3” full color touchscreen display that provides detailed information such as phonebook data, media content and vehicle updates. The 1GN built in hard drive enables users to import music from CD’s and USB connectable portable music players into its “Jukebox” which can then be sorted through by voice commands pertaining to title or artist. The voice commands of the UVO also extend to the incorporated satellite radio stations.

As the UVO system is open platform it can be integrated with a wide variety of mobile phones, music players and other devices and when the vehicle is in reverse the UVO doubles as a rear view camera. Kia is planning to incorporate the UVO in-car infotainment system into its Sorento SUV towards the middle of the year, with other models to follow suit.

View gallery - 13 images
1 comment
1 comment
eccomarco
I Don\'t believe Microsoft has enough experience in the automotive field. I hope they install an improved version the the electronics installed in the 2010 ford Fusion.