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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
Harris Interactive is one of the world's leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American, European, and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris Interactive specializes in delivering research solutions that help us - and our clients - stay ahead of what's next.

(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