Safer Internet access in cars

Siemens researchers believe that voice-browsing technology can be a safe and cost-effective solution for offering e-mail and Web content in vehicles.

The World Wide Web has grown significantly over recent years and now accounts for a large proportion of all Internet traffic. The profile of hypermedia has been raised by the Web, which has supported hypermedia as an appropriate technology for accessing and navigating information spaces. Users can access a range of information and services over the Web, from international news to local restaurant menus. Researchers at Siemens are working to extend the utility of the Web by developing a voice browser that enables users to process e-mail and browse the Web while driving.

A key requirement of an in-vehicle voice browser is that it be not only safe, but also sufficiently simple and intuitive to be operated by a driver. The car radio is a popular device for entertainment and information delivery since it allows drivers to listen while keeping their eyes on the road. Additionally, minimal interaction with the radio control panel is required for operation. These two issues have made the car radio a suitable and, more important, safe device for drivers. For these reasons, the car radio is Siemens' choice as the interface device and the basis of a voice browser, the Web-based Interactive Radio Environment (WIRE), for providing drivers with access to e-mail and Web services.