The Literate Automobile - Siemens VDO Automotive Integrates Handwriting Recognition Into the Automobile

Modern drivers are being required to process increasing amounts of information. When glancing at a vehicle's central display while traveling 60 mph (100 km/h), approximately 100 feet (30 m) is traversed before focus is regained on the road ahead. EasyControl was developed to significantly shorten the time a driver's eyes are off the road. With its innovative and concise system the supplier integrates a round touch pad into a tactical feedback knob surface. The new input system recognizes the driver's handwriting and converts it into the vehicle multimedia system commands.

The feedback knob/touchpad combination and pre-assigned or freely programmable function buttons are positioned in the center console next to the driver's seat for convenient use and reduced distraction. Only vital and frequently accessed driver information functions are assigned feedback knob buttons, allowing specific applications, such as the navigation system or the radio, to be directly engaged and with the ability to easily move between features. The round touch pad is integrated into a tactical feedback knob surface. The touch pad employs handwriting recognition software to identify what is written by the driver's finger.

The input then is compared with characters stored in the driver information system's memory and interpreted commands are passed on to the appropriate functions. For example, the driver presses a button on the feedback knob to activate the navigation system.

The EasyControl system audibly states the command, as the driver calls up the corresponding function location in the control menu. Instead of using a turn-push knob to enter letters on the display, the driver simply writes individual characters or entire syllables on a touchpad with a finger. Again, the system reads character entries out loud, so the need to look at the display is reduced. Drivers will be able to customize how they work with the touchpad, even specifying individual characters as alternatives to the function keys. For example, a driver may wish to draw a musical note on the touchpad to reach the audio features. Accessing driver information function and features using customized characters in this fashion also can act as a way to password protect the system. As an additional convenience, drivers can use the systems voice output software to have incoming messages, such as e-mails, read out loud.

EasyControl is helping Siemens VDO Automotive realize its vision of a future automobile that accurately understands and intuitively performs driver information commands to safely and conveniently relieve the driver of such burdens. In fact, Siemens VDO already is working on the next step toward future driver information interfaces - combining the touchpad benefits with more highly developed voice recognition to execute spoken commands in diverse driving situations.