Keeping Both Hands on the Wheel
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Drivers show growing interest in voice-activated technologies for their vehicles
NEW YORK - June 15, 2010: American drivers are growing more likely to adopt voice activated technologies to use in their vehicles, according to Harris Interactive's 2010 AutoTECHCAST study, conducted between April 6, 2010 - April 26, 2010. Thirty-five percent of drivers say they would be likely to adopt voice activated controls or features in their vehicle, up from just over one-quarter (27%) in 2009. Additionally, a handful of drivers showed interest in Text to Speech and Speech to Text (TS-ST) technology, with 14% indicating they would be likely to adopt it.
This is continuing coverage from the Harris Interactive 2010 AutoTECHCAST study, an annual survey of adult vehicle owners in the United States that studies 69 advanced automotive technologies spanning across several categories that include: Entertainment, Exterior Comfort & Convenience, Glass, Intelligent Sensing, Interior Comfort & Convenience, Lighting, Powertrain & Alternative Fuels, Ride & Handling, Safety, and Telematics.
Voice Activated Controls
Voice activated controls and features allow vehicle occupants to use
voice commands to control a variety of vehicle systems and features such as
their cell phone, audio system, navigation system, climate control, and
other electronic systems. Once a command is programmed, the user simply
speaks the command to execute the specific function. A benefit of this
technology is that it limits the amount of driving distractions in the
vehicle and, consequently, can aid in the prevention of accidents. However,
over half of drivers (52%) cite this technology as a comfort and
convenience technology, compared to one in four (28%) who see it as a
safety technology. Fewer see it as a form of entertainment (13%).
Not surprisingly, as the price of voice activated controls and features decreases, more drivers indicate their likelihood to adopt. Back in 2006 when these technologies were more expensive and the price point was set at $750 in the study, a mere 3% indicated they would be likely to adopt this feature. Comparatively, 35% of drivers said they would be likely to adopt these controls and features in this year's study when the price was set at $150.
Text to Speech or Speech to Text (TS-ST)
Other hands-free innovations include Text to Speech or Speech to Text
(TS-ST) technologies that enable occupants to respond to text messages and
emails while driving. For example, an incoming text is "read aloud" to the
driver, then he or she can either speak a reply or select a pre-set reply
which is then converted to text. This system allows the driver to increase
productivity while minimizing driver distraction, maintaining driver
safety. Approximately one in seven drivers (14%) said they would be likely
to adopt this technology after a $200 price point was given.
David Pulaski, Vice President of Harris Interactive Automotive and Transportation Research states "In today's fast-paced world, drivers will continue to multi-task and need a way to do it safely while driving. Automakers need to move more aggressively to bring these technologies to market. Automakers who embrace these technological advances are likely to gain incremental sales and may see gains in the way consumers view their brand."
Similar to voice activated technologies, drivers are divided as to the main purpose this technology would serve; approximately three in ten say see TS-ST as a comfort/convenience (32%) or a safety technology (30%), while one-quarter (25%) see it as entertainment.
David Duganne, Sr. Research Director of Harris Interactive Automotive and Transportation Research states "Marketers need to be aware of these diverse perceptions as they develop these technologies and bring them to market."
Early Adopters Lead Consideration
The study also finds there is increasing consideration for adopting
voice activated technologies among those who already own other technologies
such as a portable navigation system (49% who own would consider adopting
voice activated technology vs. 39% who do not own), Bluetooth (47% vs.
32%), an iPod (45% vs. 30%), an MP3 player (38% vs. 25%), and all types of
smartphones, including an iPhone (14% vs. 7%).
Considerers of TS-ST technologies are likely to already be connected to other technologies, as well, based on their responses before being given the market price: considerers are more likely to own a portable navigation system (52% vs. 43%), Bluetooth (50% vs. 34%), and an iPod (55% vs. 37%).
TABLE 1
LIKELIHOOD TO PURCHASE
ALTERNATIVE FUEL
TECHNOLOGIES
"How likely would you be to
purchase this technology if
it added [INSERT PRICE] to
the total cost of your
vehicle?"
Base: Adults who evaluated
each technology
Voice
Activated Text to
Controls Speech and
and Speech to
Features Text
Price $150 $200
Base 989 1017
% %
TOP 2 BOX
(NET) 35 14
Extremely
Likely 18 6
Very
Likely 17 8
Likely 18 10
BOTTOM 2
Box
(NET) 47 76
Somewhat
Likely 23 24
-------- --- ---
Not At
All
Likely 24 52
------ --- ---
(Note: Percentages may not
add up to 100% due to
rounding).
TABLE 2
CATEGORY OF VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
"In which of the following
categories would you consider this
technology/feature to belong?
Please select only one."
Base: Adults who evaluated each
technology
Voice
Activated Text to
Controls Speech and
and Speech to
Features Text
Base 989 1017
% %
Comfort/
Convenience 52 32
Safety 28 30
Entertainment 13 25
Performance 3 1
Styling 1 1
Environment/
Efficiency 1 2
------------ --- ---
Other 2 9
----- --- ---
(Note: Percentages may not add up
to 100% due to rounding).
TABLE 3
TECHNOLOGIES / DEVICES OWNED
" Which of the following technologies/devices do
you currently own? Please select all that apply."
Base: Adults who evaluated each technology
Voice Activated
Controls and Text to Speech and
Features: Speech to Text:
Consideration Consideration
before exposure to before exposure to
market price market price
Extremely Somewhat Extremely Somewhat
Likely/ Likely/ Likely/ Likely/
Very Not At Very Not At
Likely/ All Likely/ All
Likely Likely Likely Likely
Base 367 622 154 863
% % % %
iPhone 16 5 16 9
Blackberry 18 11 25 10
Smart
Phone 26 8 32 15
iPod 45 30 55 37
MP3 Player 38 25 35 30
Bluetooth
Connectivity 47 32 50 34
Portable
Navigation
System 49 39 52 43
Mac
Computer 14 7 15 12
PC
Computer 86 78 73 83
Smartbook 4 1 4 1
Kindle or
other
eReader 10 4 9 5
iPad 4 1 2 1
---- --- --- --- ---
None of
these 3 7 4 3
------- --- --- --- ---
Methodology
The AutoTECHCAST study was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive between April 6, 2010 - April 26, 2010 among 12,225 U.S. adults ages 18 and over and who own or lease a vehicle, have a valid driver's license, have at least one household vehicle, own a vehicle model year2005 or newer, and are at least 50 percent involved in the decision to buy their next household vehicle. Results were weighted as needed for age, gender, education, region and income and to properly represent U.S. vehicle segment owners. Propensity score weighting also was used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.
About Harris Interactive
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(1) U.S. adults ages 18 and over and who own or lease a vehicle, have a valid driver's license, have at least one household vehicle, own a vehicle model year 2005 or newer, and are at least 50 percent involved in the decision to buy their next household vehicle