Imagine if you could talk to your car like Michael Knight talked to KITT in the 1980’s television show Knight Rider. Well, now you can, thanks to cutting-edge technology known as Kia UVO, which allows for voice-activated control of your in-vehicle multimedia systems.

 

Developed by Kia and Microsoft^®, UVO, short for “your voice,” allows for voice-activated hands-free access to answer and place phone calls, receive and send text messages and listen to customized music. UVO works with most phones and music players, making it both a safe and efficient way of enjoying your favorite technologies. The speech recognition software is even capable of creating up to two customized voice profiles in various languages. Winner of the 2009-2010 Industry Newcomer Award at the Telematics Update Awards Conference, Kia UVO is featured in select 2010 Kia models.

 

You’ll never miss an important call again, all while keeping your eyes focused on the roadway. If you receive an incoming SMS text message while driving, you can open the message with a voice command and the UVO system will audibly read it to you. It’s like having a traveling personal assistant with you whenever you hit the road.

 

Forget about having to struggle with awkward CDs or looking down to scroll through your iPod or MP3 player to access your favorite music. Through unique voice-recognition software, UVO lets you speak direct verbal commands without having to navigate through clumsy and time-consuming menus. Not having a Bon Jovi kind of day? Simply speak your command and fire up some Tom Petty instead. Whatever your musical tastes might be, UVO makes it easy to enjoy your favorite tunes.

 

UVO comes with a useful “Jukebox” feature that allows storage of your favorite media files ripped from CDs or MP3 players. Create your own personal MyMusic library of up to 250 songs, and easily shuffle through all the titles using simple voice commands. Don’t you ever wonder what the name of that song is on the radio? Use the dynamic voice-recognition system to identify what’s playing and who sings it. UVO lets you be the DJ on every road trip you take.

 

Sounds cool, doesn’t it? It gets even cooler. When a UVO-equipped car is put in reverse, the in-dash screen converts to display the feed from a rearview camera, letting you see what’s behind you before backing up. This is just one more way Kia UVO helps to enhance your overall driving experience.

 

“With UVO, Kia is able to offer drivers a rich telematic experience and a clear competitive advantage, allowing Kia drivers to safely and easily use all of their personal technologies and create personalized in-car communications and entertainment experiences,” said Michael Sprague, Vice President, Marketing, Kia Motors America, in a press release.

 

New advancements in technology are happening daily in our wired world. Not to worry. UVO is specially designed with technology based on the Windows Embedded Auto platform, so that it can be updated easily when new devices are developed and introduced.

Features such as Bluetooth^®, iPod/MP3 connectivity and a three-month subscription to SIRIUS Satellite Radio are already standard features in many Kia models.

 

Kia UVO literally gives you a voice on how you want to customize your personal driving experience. The future is now, and Kia is here to help you enjoy the ride.