Poor Voice Recognition with Navigation System

I agree the voice system is less than stellar. In a majorty of the cases it will repeat something back to me that WAS NOT EVEN CLOSE to what I said. Most of the time, I just find a way around it to do what I need to do. If I really need to use it I'll keep trying until it eventually works. I don't think there is anything wrong with the system, I think it just sucks. lol

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Washington1788 @ Jul 24 2007, 10:13 AM) [snapback]484132[/snapback]</div>

Yeah, it sucks alright but I'm surprised if it hasn't improved with the '07 model. I had occasion to rent a Camry a couple of months back while my Pri was in for maintenance and I was amazed at how much better the voice recognition was. It took me about a minute to pair the bluetooth with my phone using voice commands and dial a number without ever having cracked the manual. I just pushed the little phone icon on the steering wheel thinking "I wonder what this does?" and the system walked me through the whole process.

 

I don't use it as a rule, but sometimes you can have fun with it. Once I hit the button and said, "I have to p*ss," and it said, "Displaying Gas Stations." Evidently it wanted me to use one of the convenient rest rooms.

 

:angry: :angry: :angry: :angry:
The NAV in the 2007 Prius SUCKS............... end of story !!

 

Come on now, even the voice technology in my cell phone sucks. So lets just face it, in general voice technology is not where it should be or at least advertised at.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FloridaWen @ Jul 24 2007, 12:22 PM) [snapback]484193[/snapback]</div>

I actually think it is one of the most accurate Navs out there. Getting around the menus is a bit clunky until you get to know it, but I have used several and this is the best DVD based system yet!

 

Acura/Honda beats Lexus/Toyota in voice recognition in NAVI system hands down.

 

I wonder if we need to learn how to speak English with a Japanese accent?

Does anyone have any idea what she means when she says "Keep Trying Continuously"?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(prius-yes-dubya-no @ Jul 25 2007, 08:30 AM) [snapback]484617[/snapback]</div>

Agreed!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ceric @ Jul 24 2007, 09:46 PM) [snapback]484464[/snapback]</div>

LIke 10,000 to 1 ratio if "compared".................. 99% of these PriusChat Prius owners with Prius NAV have NOT had any other NAVI except their Toyota NAV so they will NEVER understand the vast shortcommings of the crappy Toyota NAV that is stuck in the Prius. "Smart" buyers that purchased a Prius WITHOUT the NAV package (package 4,3,2,or 1) and use their Garmin nuvi 360 or 660, TomTom, Magellan or any other separate GPS NAV are all laughing at us fools that thought the Toyota NAV for 2007 would be some sort of "state-of-the-art" NAV unit and really work as it should...... :angry:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(prius-yes-dubya-no @ Jul 25 2007, 09:30 AM) [snapback]484617[/snapback]</div>

I find the voice recognition in my '06 works quite well.

I regularly use commands like "Quick Access #", "Go Home", "detour", "entire route map", "Quick 1/2" and others, and I experience approximately 75-85% success rate, in my estimation. Of course it is significantly less if I have the windows open or other ambient noise. The "Address" command can be a bit trickier, since you are sort of guessing how the Text-to-Speech would read certain names. <_<

The area I have had the most frustration is the "dial by number", since the car seems to like to add extra digits into the number, though the digits are usually correct. :huh: I usually just resort to pulling out my handset to dial if I don't have it as a QuickDial. <_<

I believe most of the complaints are regional and relate to speaking accent. Naturally, the thicker the accent, the tougher it will be for the computer to understand and will result in lower recognition.

Maybe everyone has to just start talking like us Canadians... :lol:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(FloridaWen @ Jul 25 2007, 09:41 AM) [snapback]484622[/snapback]</div>

I think everyone knows your position regarding Toyota NAV by now. Constantly re-posting "Toyota NAV sucks" without substantiating it in the same post does not help your position at all. We know the map data may be a little behind, and it does not display every street. This is a trade-off of this particular system based on your past experience, but baased on the response to your earlier thread most users around here do not see it as the huge issue you make it out to be. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

It's a given that OEM Nav systems tend to lag a bit behind the aftermarket, since there is more involved in getting everything approved, supported, etc... It's unfortunate, but it's a fact of life. Of course, for that trade-off, you are also getting a fully integrated system, high-res display (2006 and later) full support from the manufacturer, no wasted cost in OEM radio that is not used, and is not a theft target. Unlike portable units, it also has dead-reckoning with connection to the vehicle speed sensor so it doesn't go berserk if you through tunnels or frequent downtown between tall buildings.

Finally, there is also the resale value - part of the "high cost" can be re-couped when the car is sold. Aftermarketing units tend to be cutting edge, but also get rendered "obsolete" quickly as well.

Bottom line - there are pros & cons to both choices and everyone is entitled to make their own opinon...

 

Thanks, Kevin!

I have been as pleased as punch with the Nav system. I have seen plenty of others, but the Toyota Nav does precisely what I need it to do, without any 'failures' at all.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sarge @ Jul 25 2007, 02:15 PM) [snapback]484800[/snapback]</div>

YES !!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jul 25 2007, 04:37 PM) [snapback]484938[/snapback]</div>

Heh heh... yeah.

Surprisingly, when I wanted to enter "Markham" (Ontario) as a destination, I first tried pronouncing "MARK-HAM" since I figured that is how the Text To Speech (TTS) would say it, then it echoes back what sounds like "markum" - which is the way it is really pronounced. It's actually quite smart in most cases...

Since the system obviously has the TTS technology to pronounce back street names, I wonder why Toyota did not program the system to announce turns by name? Would it be hopelessly optimistic to hope this feature may come one day in the not-too-distant future by way of a mapping/firmware update? But I digress...