Voice command

Paul330d · 03-07-2006, 12:49 PM

Seeing as how I will apparently be getting the Professional SatNav system for free, I was wondering if it would be worth investing in the speech recognition system. Does it work and is it worth the €420 they're asking?

imageWIS · 03-07-2006, 12:56 PM

Don’t about the BMW software, but the Benz speech recognition software is horrific.

Jon.

GoRomeo · 03-07-2006, 01:15 PM

mine ROCKS !!!!

London320d · 03-07-2006, 01:31 PM

The recognition is not perfect, but is good, especially considering that there is no formal training of the system.

I have a degree in Electronics (for over 20 years) along with software and hardware skills, and hence purchased the option with certain expectations as to what they would have been able to do with it. The option exceeded my expectations.

There are also some nice features such as voice dialing of the bluetooth system without using voice tags. It does this just by comparing what you said against the textual name of the entry.

Issuing voice commands whilst driving is much safer than fiddling with the I Drive controller whilst monitoring where you are in the menu system.

Go for it. Its one of the things that binds the car electronics together.

One humerous misinterpretation was that when I tried to select "United Kingdom" as the destination country for setting a route, it selected "The Vatican". This is the only vehicle that I have ever owned which has tried to make me find religion

.

imageWIS · 03-07-2006, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by London320d

The recognition is not perfect, but is good, especially considering that there is no formal training of the system.

I have a degree in Electronics (for over 20 years) along with software and hardware skills, and hence purchased the option with certain expectations as to what they would have been able to do with it. The option exceeded my expectations.

There are also some nice features such as voice dialing of the bluetooth system without using voice tags. It does this just by comparing what you said against the textual name of the entry.

Issuing voice commands whilst driving is much safer than fiddling with the I Drive controller whilst monitoring where you are in the menu system.

Go for it. Its one of the things that binds the car electronics together.

One humerous misinterpretation was that when I tried to select "United Kingdom" as the destination country for setting a route, it selected "The Vatican". This is the only vehicle that I have ever owned which has tried to make me find religion

.

Huh. You would think that BMW would be Lutheran…

Jon.

Oz · 03-07-2006, 01:41 PM

You have to pay extra for voice recognition? That's kind of odd

dom1 · 03-07-2006, 01:44 PM

I have both the Navigation system with idrive with the voice recognition. I use the Nav system quite often and find it very useful. I have tried the voice recognition and it gets the commands wrong about 50% of the time.

This may be due to the fact that I speak with an accent, but I don't find it very convenient. Most of the time, I use the joystick which always gets me the right information. To be fair, I should mention that I have not memorized most of the commands that the system understands. I just don't see it very useful plus I don't think there is anything so hard to find in the idrive that you cannot get very quickly with a few scrolls and push of buttons. Is voice recognition a separate option in France? We get it automatically with idrive.

Paul330d · 03-07-2006, 01:53 PM

Good advice there, thanks guys. Yes, voice recognition is an optional extra on top of iDrive/SatNav.

330m · 03-07-2006, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul330d

Seeing as how I will apparently be getting the Professional SatNav system for free, I was wondering if it would be worth investing in the speech recognition system. Does it work and is it worth the €420 they're asking?

How come you get the sat nav for free? £1,970 for me.

But voice recog was free if you had bluetooth prep+sat nav.

bpbenda · 03-07-2006, 02:31 PM

The voice recognition has worked excellent for me. I have had no trouble whatsoever with it inaccurately interpreting my commands. I suppose that it is possible that a person's accent could cause problems, but I have not experienced any whatsoever. The voice recognition is probably one of the most useful and one of my favorite things about the e90. You can bluetooth dial and navigate the entire iDrive system by voice command, and this includes access to the navigation system and radio controls. For the price, you will definitely not regret the purchase.

Paul330d · 03-07-2006, 02:33 PM

SatNav is included (on the French market) on the Sport & Luxe models as of March 1, 2006. I ordered in January, but as my car won't be built until +/- March 20, they'll be including the SatNav for free. I'm just grateful I didn't order during the Xmas holidays as I had originally intended: the car would have been built before the March 1 cut-off & I wouldn't have got the SatNav!

jmcphillips1 · 03-07-2006, 02:49 PM

Yes, It works, I would not get a 3 without it

JSpira · 03-07-2006, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul330d

Seeing as how I will apparently be getting the Professional SatNav system for free, I was wondering if it would be worth investing in the speech recognition system. Does it work and is it worth the €420 they're asking?

I use it a lot for placing phone calls, sometimes for changing entertainment instructions, very little for satnav.

I guess I would recommend getting it.

GoRomeo · 03-07-2006, 03:26 PM

Yes get it !! i love mine

hotsand5 · 03-07-2006, 04:33 PM

I think that yes it is pretty good w/o any training of the system, but overall I would give it a marginal rating. I just gave up trying to use the FM command while trying to switch from CD or AM. I always get : "Steering wheel buttons, tire pressure monitoring, map facing direction of travel, options, please repeat, and I did not understand." I mean, how the heck do you get a 9 sylable phrase out of FM? I cannot tell you how many times I am driving from work, at times pissed off, and sitting in gridlock trying to give simple commands to the car and it keeps getting it wrong. I can't imagine what other drivers looking at me are thinking as I am waving my fists in the air, swearing at the car at the top of my lungs. "FM dammit, FM, FM, 103.5 FM, 103.5 megahertz!...'steering wheel buttons'" ahhh!

Rocket850 · 03-07-2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotsand5

I think that yes it is pretty good w/o any training of the system, but overall I would give it a marginal rating. I just gave up trying to use the FM command while trying to switch from CD or AM. I always get : "Steering wheel buttons, tire pressure monitoring, map facing direction of travel, options, please repeat, and I did not understand." I mean, how the heck do you get a 9 sylable phrase out of FM? I cannot tell you how many times I am driving from work, at times pissed off, and sitting in gridlock trying to give simple commands to the car and it keeps getting it wrong. I can't imagine what other drivers looking at me are thinking as I am waving my fists in the air, swearing at the car at the top of my lungs. "FM dammit, FM, FM, 103.5 FM, 103.5 megahertz!...'steering wheel buttons'" ahhh!

maybe you need to say "frequency Modulation"?

London320d · 03-08-2006, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dom1

....plus I don't think there is anything so hard to find in the idrive that you cannot get very quickly with a few scrolls and push of buttons.....

It's not that things are hard to find with I-Drive, but the mere fact that you have to take a hand off the wheel to use the controller, and that you have to look at the display whilst manually using I-Drive, makes that method of control less safe than voice control.

There used to be a time when a car was simply a travelling machine. If you were lucky you got to play with the radio volume.

Modern life has given us many more expectations and pressures which lead us to try to make more use of the time in the car. Many of the conveniences and devices in modern cars can distract us from the driving. Anything that distracts us from concentating on thr road situation increases the risk of an accident to some extent. Fiddling with I Drive whilst on the move is a prime example of an unnecessary distraction.

I feel that the the voice control option removes most of the distraction of operating a vehicle as complex as an E90 can be.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocket850

maybe you need to say "frequency Modulation"?

Agggh!! There is a list of commands in the back of the manual and scattered references to them throughout the rest of the text. It seems that there are other forms of commands that are not documented, or at least not in any way that I can easily find them when I need to check on something.

Paul330d, From the posts above, it seems that most people have few or no problems and a few can't get it to understand anything. The best thing might be to get a demo from your dealer and see if you get along with it. The manual does state that you should speak normally, at normal volume and without unnatural emphasis or gaps between words. It is difficult when playing with the system, to resist the temptation to speak loudly (and not very naturally) at the microphone. It works better if you relax. When demonstrating the system to my brother, he started shouting commands at the I-drive screen

GoRomeo · 03-08-2006, 01:34 AM

I read too many bad things about idrive. Nav not for me. i used to have it on my X5 and I only used it couple of times. I got sick of it and stop using it.. too slow sometimes.

I am so glad i got Bluetooth and BMW assist instead.. also I love my logic 7 sounds.. my friend has an Audi A8 and it doesnt come close...

Paul330d · 03-08-2006, 05:18 AM

Thanks for all the input, but I fear it may be too late: my dealer told me this morning he thought it would be too late now to modify my build sheet

CardinalZeus77 · 03-08-2006, 07:04 AM

Definately get it.

SoYank · 04-08-2006, 03:35 PM

I love my voice commands. I tell my friends that I can talk to my car and it talks back at me -- sometimes sasses back. I've found that alot of the commands listed in the user's manual have little benefit -- vent settings are more simply made by hand, especially since once the car gets to the vent settings menu you have to manually change them anyway.

The command I've gotten quite comfortable with is "Options". If I can't figure out what the car wants me to say, this will prompt you.

For Paul330d in France you might want to set the language to French if it is available. My 330i only understands English (which is good 'cause I only speak English), French, and Spanish presumably since these are the predominent languages in North America.

03-07-2006, 12:49 PM	#1
Paul330d Torque junky 115 Rep 1,688 Posts Drives: Remapped e90 330d Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: France (UK expat) iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330d [0.00] 2005 Fiat Panda 4x4 [0.00]	Voice command - does it work, should I get it? Seeing as how I will apparently be getting the Professional SatNav system for free, I was wondering if it would be worth investing in the speech recognition system. Does it work and is it worth the €420 they're asking? __________________ www.greenkeepers.fr - spécialiste des tondeuses à gazon hélicoïdales atco qualcast ransomes lawnflite
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03-07-2006, 12:56 PM	#2
imageWIS Audi Roamer… 7 Rep 221 Posts Drives: 06' Audi A4 2.0T Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Boca Raton, FL iTrader: (0)	Don’t about the BMW software, but the Benz speech recognition software is horrific. Jon. __________________ Die Gedanken sind frei Sucker love is heaven sent. You pucker up, our passion’s spent. My hearts a tart, your body’s rent. My body’s broken, yours is spent.
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03-07-2006, 01:15 PM	#3
GoRomeo Brigadier General 962 Rep 3,848 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	mine ROCKS !!!!
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03-07-2006, 01:31 PM	#4
London320d Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 275 Posts Drives: '06 E90 320dSE Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: London, England iTrader: (0)	The recognition is not perfect, but is good, especially considering that there is no formal training of the system. I have a degree in Electronics (for over 20 years) along with software and hardware skills, and hence purchased the option with certain expectations as to what they would have been able to do with it. The option exceeded my expectations. There are also some nice features such as voice dialing of the bluetooth system without using voice tags. It does this just by comparing what you said against the textual name of the entry. Issuing voice commands whilst driving is much safer than fiddling with the I Drive controller whilst monitoring where you are in the menu system. Go for it. Its one of the things that binds the car electronics together. One humerous misinterpretation was that when I tried to select "United Kingdom" as the destination country for setting a route, it selected "The Vatican". This is the only vehicle that I have ever owned which has tried to make me find religion .
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03-07-2006, 01:41 PM	#6
Oz Lieutenant Colonel 33 Rep 1,770 Posts Drives: 2006 330i, 2004 X5 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Wayne, NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	You have to pay extra for voice recognition? That's kind of odd __________________ 2006 330i Steptronic/Alpine White/Black Leather/Burl Walnut Trim/Premium Package/iDrive/Heated Seats/Winter: STYLE 159 Blizzak LM-22 RFT/Summer: TBD 2004 X5 Steptronic/Alpine White/Grey Leather/Poplar Trim/Premium Package/Heated Seats/iPod Adapter
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03-07-2006, 01:44 PM	#7
dom1 Private First Class 10 Rep 163 Posts Drives: 2006 330xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Methuen, MA iTrader: (0)	I have both the Navigation system with idrive with the voice recognition. I use the Nav system quite often and find it very useful. I have tried the voice recognition and it gets the commands wrong about 50% of the time. This may be due to the fact that I speak with an accent, but I don't find it very convenient. Most of the time, I use the joystick which always gets me the right information. To be fair, I should mention that I have not memorized most of the commands that the system understands. I just don't see it very useful plus I don't think there is anything so hard to find in the idrive that you cannot get very quickly with a few scrolls and push of buttons. Is voice recognition a separate option in France? We get it automatically with idrive. __________________ 2006 330xi MB, Terra, Burl Walnut, Auto, PP, Nav, Heated Seats, SP w/18in 2002 Acura MDX - wife's ride 2000 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 4x4 - wife's SUV retired after 120K miles and lots of problems 1994 Pontiac Sunbird 4 cyl. - retired after 170K miles
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03-07-2006, 01:53 PM	#8
Paul330d Torque junky 115 Rep 1,688 Posts Drives: Remapped e90 330d Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: France (UK expat) iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330d [0.00] 2005 Fiat Panda 4x4 [0.00]	Good advice there, thanks guys. Yes, voice recognition is an optional extra on top of iDrive/SatNav. __________________ www.greenkeepers.fr - spécialiste des tondeuses à gazon hélicoïdales atco qualcast ransomes lawnflite
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03-07-2006, 02:31 PM	#10
bpbenda Private First Class 16 Rep 170 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	The voice recognition has worked excellent for me. I have had no trouble whatsoever with it inaccurately interpreting my commands. I suppose that it is possible that a person's accent could cause problems, but I have not experienced any whatsoever. The voice recognition is probably one of the most useful and one of my favorite things about the e90. You can bluetooth dial and navigate the entire iDrive system by voice command, and this includes access to the navigation system and radio controls. For the price, you will definitely not regret the purchase.
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03-07-2006, 02:33 PM	#11
Paul330d Torque junky 115 Rep 1,688 Posts Drives: Remapped e90 330d Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: France (UK expat) iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330d [0.00] 2005 Fiat Panda 4x4 [0.00]	SatNav is included (on the French market) on the Sport & Luxe models as of March 1, 2006. I ordered in January, but as my car won't be built until +/- March 20, they'll be including the SatNav for free. I'm just grateful I didn't order during the Xmas holidays as I had originally intended: the car would have been built before the March 1 cut-off & I wouldn't have got the SatNav! __________________ www.greenkeepers.fr - spécialiste des tondeuses à gazon hélicoïdales atco qualcast ransomes lawnflite
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03-07-2006, 02:49 PM	#12
jmcphillips1 Captain 60 Rep 667 Posts Drives: 2012 128 Coupe Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 BMW 128i Coupe [0.00]	Yes, It works, I would not get a 3 without it __________________ Current Daily Driver: 2015 X4 35i Retired: 2012 128i Coupe M-Sport Retired: 2009 X6 35i Retired: 2003 X5 4.6is Retired: 2006 330i Post September
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03-07-2006, 03:26 PM	#14
GoRomeo Brigadier General 962 Rep 3,848 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	Yes get it !! i love mine
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03-07-2006, 04:33 PM	#15
hotsand5 hotsand5 49 Rep 806 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i 6spd Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	I think that yes it is pretty good w/o any training of the system, but overall I would give it a marginal rating. I just gave up trying to use the FM command while trying to switch from CD or AM. I always get : "Steering wheel buttons, tire pressure monitoring, map facing direction of travel, options, please repeat, and I did not understand." I mean, how the heck do you get a 9 sylable phrase out of FM? I cannot tell you how many times I am driving from work, at times pissed off, and sitting in gridlock trying to give simple commands to the car and it keeps getting it wrong. I can't imagine what other drivers looking at me are thinking as I am waving my fists in the air, swearing at the car at the top of my lungs. "FM dammit, FM, FM, 103.5 FM, 103.5 megahertz!...'steering wheel buttons'" ahhh! __________________ -2006 BMW 330i-Sapphire Black- Tera Leather-Aluminum trim- 6spd manual- Sport- Premium- Cold- Navigation- Euro. delivery -2005 Yamaha Warrior 1700 102cu"
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03-08-2006, 01:34 AM	#18
GoRomeo Brigadier General 962 Rep 3,848 Posts Drives: 330i, 135i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Diego CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [9.50] 2006 330i [6.75]	I read too many bad things about idrive. Nav not for me. i used to have it on my X5 and I only used it couple of times. I got sick of it and stop using it.. too slow sometimes. I am so glad i got Bluetooth and BMW assist instead.. also I love my logic 7 sounds.. my friend has an Audi A8 and it doesnt come close...
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03-08-2006, 05:18 AM	#19
Paul330d Torque junky 115 Rep 1,688 Posts Drives: Remapped e90 330d Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: France (UK expat) iTrader: (2) Garage List 2006 330d [0.00] 2005 Fiat Panda 4x4 [0.00]	Thanks for all the input, but I fear it may be too late: my dealer told me this morning he thought it would be too late now to modify my build sheet __________________ www.greenkeepers.fr - spécialiste des tondeuses à gazon hélicoïdales atco qualcast ransomes lawnflite
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03-08-2006, 07:04 AM	#20
CardinalZeus77 Captain 190 Rep 817 Posts Drives: Porsche 991.2 Carrera S Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 G20 BMW 320d X ... [0.00] 2014 BMW F80 M3 [10.00]	Definately get it. __________________ Current: 991.2 Carrera S Sold: BMW G20 320d Xdrive M Sport Sold: Porsche Macan GTS Night Blue / Full GTS Interior Sold: F80 M3 Black Sapphire/Sakhir Orange Sold: E92 M3 Jerez Black/Fox Red Leather
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04-08-2006, 03:35 PM	#21
SoYank Major General 571 Rep 7,519 Posts Drives: 2009 E90 335i MT Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Vinton, Virginia iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW E90 335i S ... [9.00]	I love my voice commands. I tell my friends that I can talk to my car and it talks back at me -- sometimes sasses back. I've found that alot of the commands listed in the user's manual have little benefit -- vent settings are more simply made by hand, especially since once the car gets to the vent settings menu you have to manually change them anyway. The command I've gotten quite comfortable with is "Options". If I can't figure out what the car wants me to say, this will prompt you. For Paul330d in France you might want to set the language to French if it is available. My 330i only understands English (which is good 'cause I only speak English), French, and Spanish presumably since these are the predominent languages in North America.
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