Anyone positive about voice recognition?

As far as I'm concerned, it is useless. Sometimes it will get "zoom in" or "zoom out" - but never anything beyond that. It usually ends up wanting to display government icons or something completely off-key.

It's a nice idea, but it never works for me, myself. I like to drive with the windows open, but even closed and quiet, I just don't bother anymore. Everything else works great for me, but this, I have to say, just dosen't work. Thankfully, I really don't care.

 

I'm one of the few that doesn't seem to have much trouble with it.

I do not say much but it recognizes HOME, LIBRARIES, I'M HUNGRY, POST OFFICE, SCHOOLS.

Frankly, even if it had PRRRRRrrrrrrrrfect recognition, the steering wheel buttons are FAR easier/quicker to use for the majority of the voice commands.

 

My experience has been good and bad. However, it seems so much quicker to just use the controls..

 

It sucks for all but the most basic instructions. I love the car tho, but this is definetly a weak point.

 

I wonder if part of the problem is due to the quality and/or gain on the microphone that Toyota uses.

Do a simple test: Record a voice tag for a phone book entry, then try the "Dial by Name" command sequence. When you say the name, the system will play back the recorded voice tag using your own voice. On our 2006 Prius, the playback is very soft and tinny. It sounds like the microphone is not using the full possible gain that the digitization system needs, which may be why voice recognition is so poor for some users.

I'm willing to bet that "in the lab" the voice recognition works fine, but coupled with this microphone, recognition is spotty.

I am also told that we sound a bit "tinny" when talking on the speakerphone. Bluetooth reception is good and is never interrupted, so I don't think Bluetooth is the problem -- again, the symptoms point to the microphone.

Anyone concur?

- Bob R.

 

It loves me, but as others have said, it isn't all that efficient a way to do business. I use it for POI purposes, as keystrokes there are much slower, but not for much else, even though it understands me fine.

My experience has been opposite Evan's, so maybe everyone has to find the best way to communicate with the system. He said try not to enunciate, I say speak your words clearly and separately but at a reasonable cadence. I never speak toward the microphone or do anything else special. On the NAV commands, I not only find you should be on the map screen (just say "MAP"), but you also should have already pushed the "I agree" disclaimer. The NAV system doesn't understand map commands (including "MAP") until you agree.

Like I say, everyone probably has to find how the system recognizes their voice the best. I know it is important not to have other people talking, or windows down.

All that said, other than for NAV POI use (which I find extremely useful), I only use it for demos, as buttons seem easier for everything else.

Now, I'm on an '05, and have the NAV override, so I don't have to verbally tell the system my destination. From what I've read above, I suspect I would pull over before I tried to enter the destination via voice...

 

I just got my 2006, and am still in awe, including the voice recognition feature. I don't think it sucks at all. So far I've found works pretty well, but time will tell if I find it truly useful. Like other advanced features of the Prius, I think you have to invest some time and practice to be adept at using it.

The way I look at it, the Prius voice recognition is infinitely better than in my other cars. I sat down in my 1983 Land Cruiser and tried several voice commands, and nothing happened at all! Same for my 1992 Mazda....

fd

 

My experience is that it works most of the time for me. It helps to speak loudly and clearly (and get the passengers to be quiet). Also, study the list of commands (see John1701a's user's guide, for instance), or use the "Help" voice command in your car.

I found it quite useful in LA during the winter vacation. We found Starbucks ("Coffee House"), Albertson's ("Grocery"), and other POIs on the Nav.

 

I have not had a problem with my 2006 Prius. AS for the other post on the voice sounding tinny, I would adjust the audio settings, there is Treble, mid range and Bass. Try adjusting this and see if it makes a difference. I find the sound of the female voice in my system very nice.

 

Tried it with several different voices ... sorry, it sucks!

 

When I introduced my RAZR to my Prius and started making calls, I got complaints from others about not being able to hear me well. I did the override thing and was able to improve the voice quality. My husband said that my voice sounds much better now and since the same microphone is used, I think that my voice recognition with the Nav will also be more successful. I haven't tried it yet but will check it tomorrow.

 

Maybe EVERYONE would understand you if you spoke English normally... (heh-heh)

My car loves how I talk...

 

I only use it for "display off" and occassionally "cancel all destinations". Works fine for those commands, though.

 

Bluetooth and/or NAV comes through the actual audio system on a 2006, instead of just hyjacking the driver door speaker? Interesting. I really have to get those 2006 manuals.

 

It took me about 10 tries to get it to properly reccognize a dial by number the other day. I haven't used the voice recognition much because the few times I've tried it's been terrible. Toyota should license VoiceSignal. That's the voice recognition in my Motorola E815 and it is excellent. It is flawless on all the built in commands and, amazingly, recognizes contact names almost perfectly with no training or tags.