S-TYPE's voice activated control system is an industry first for Jaguar. The system provides for voice control of primary audio functions (radio, cassette player and CD), telephone and climate control in a safe hands-free operation.

Jaguar Australian Managing Director Danny Rezek has been impressed with the capabilities of the system.

"Voice activation is a safe way to operate a number of systems in the car. The system is logical, intelligent and practical and represents the cutting edge technology found in today's Jaguars," Mr Rezek said.

The driver controls the system via the Voice button on the left-hand side of the steering wheel. A directional microphone in the headlining, also used for the in-car telephone, picks up the voice commands. The system provides both audible and visual feedback in terms of command confirmation and prompts. These are communicated through the sound system speakers and the message centre display in the instrument cluster.

Alternatively the driver can opt to turn off the audible feedback and rely on the visual commands. Personal directories of nametags for phone dialing and radio station presets can be created, and spoken command help is also available.

The system responds to commands in English in a natural speaking voice, without having to pause between words, to control the audio tuner (eg "Radio tune 105.7 FM) cassette tape (eg "Tape Play") and CD player (eg "CD Play track 6"). In addition, the driver can program the phone system to respond to verbal instructions such as "Phone, dial home" while the climate control system will comply with, "Temperature 20 degrees" or similar commands.

And following an extensive engineering development program there is no need to be worried about the peculiarities of the Australian accent as the system responds to an extremely wide diversity of English accents. Voice training is also a feature to ensure the system recognises the driver's commands. After voice training, the system will automatically recognise a speaker whose voice is held in a voice memory.

The voice activation system is an option on all S-TYPEs and can also be retrospectively fitted. In addition it will be available as an option on the X-TYPE when it is released later this year.

For further information contact
Amanda Wheeler
Jaguar Australia
Phone: (02) 9828 9113