Introducing Voice-controlled car navigation/audio system in the U.S.market
At the end of August, FUJITSU TEN LIMITED(head office: Kobe, president: Takamitsu Tsuchimoto, Capitalization:5.3 billion yen)commenced sales of its ECLIPSE COMMANDER (nickname: E-COM) car navigation system in the United States, under the brand name ECLIPSE by FUJITSU TEN. The system, featuring voice control and voice guidance, is capable of operating car audio systems and cellular phones etc. through voice commands.
yOutline of the new productz
| Model Number | Price(excl.tax) | Target sales units/month | |
| ECLIPSE COMMANDAR (incl. Voice recognition microphone and 9-CD-ROMs of detailed area maps) | |||
| GPS(*1) UNIT for ECLIPSE COMMANDER |
The E-COM is systemed with award-winning CD Tuner/Receiver already in the market: 5506,
5504 and 5443. Simply inserting a map CD into the CD player, and activating it will set you up.
With the addition of a GPS receiver (optional), enter your destination with voice and route
navigation starts automatically. While driving along a designated route, E-COM informs the
driver of turning points by voice, as well as by displaying the direction on the CD display.
The distance to the next turn, distance to the destination, and road names are also displayed.
If position and destination using voice commands.
The E-COM 's voice recognition system does not rely on voice signatures, no registration,
or signing designated voice is needed.
Vehicle road infrastructures are very different from that of Japan.
Expressways are well established, and road names are clearly displayed on almost
every intersection. As for that, maps-based car navigation systems that have
achieved widespread popularity in Japan are not likely to be accepted easily
in the United States, unless the cost drops to an affordable price. At present,
the U.S car navigation market is stagnant, with total sales at around 50,000
units/year. However, just few years ,with the advance of Intelligent Transport System(*2)
technology and the general push to more sophisticated built-in multimedia functions in vehicles, the situation is sure to change. It is estimated that the U.S. market for car navigation systems will grow to around 2 million units/year by 2005(FUJITSU TEN research).
We have been challenging to bring out an affordable driver assistance unit
based on voice controlled navigation. We managed to keep the cost for a complete
basic system, consisting of E-COM, an integrated CD unit, and system initialization
(starting cost),US$920(SRP)(*3), under our target of US$1,000. Even with the addition of a
GPS receiver, the total price is still reasonable.
Furthermore, on top of standard navigation functions, many operations of the system
can be controlled by voice, including audio mode switching, disc changing(with CD Changer),
and dialing, re-dialing and answering/speaking on cellular phones, etc..(Connecting cellular
phones requires "phone unit"). With all the voice controlled features, it's not just a
navigation system.
Two optional terminal of the system can be used to control other on board electrical devices
through the simple voice commands. This feature can be used, for example, to switching
interior light on or off, head light etc..
(*1)GPS: Global Positioning System (*2)ITS: Intelligent Transport Systemi*3jSRP: Suggested Retail Price
yMain specifications of E-COM 9002z
yThe E-COM 9002z 1. All navigation operations can be controlled by voice. 2. Voice recognition system does not rely on unique voice signatures,
no voice registration needed.
Note: Recognition accuracy slightly differs by individual.3. Voice commanded, and displayed on the integrated CD unit with arrows
at the designed point.
Distance to the next turn, distance to the destination and road names are also displayed.4. A GPS receiver can be added for more accurate navigation.
Note: GPS receiver are sold separately.5. When it is necessary to change direction or if the driver does not follow the designed route,
the driver is automatically warned by a voice announcement.
Note: Only with a GPS receiver.6. The map data on the CD-ROMs is based on NavTech(Navigation Technology) Corporation. 7. Audio controls of ECLIPSE CD models (5506,5504 and 5443) is controllable by voice commands.
(switching from AM to FM radio,switching between preset radio stations,changing CD tracks etc.)8. CD/changers and radio can be used while navigated.
(CD possible after data-reading is completed.)9. With the addition of "phone unit" to the car, cellular phones can be operated by voice
commands, for example, for fast dialing, re-reading and answering /speaking.
Note: Some models of car connection kits for cellular phones may not be compatible with E-COM.
115(W)~25(H)~110(D)mm 0.32kg(encl. voice recognition microphone) 4.4(V) 1 mA(at 0.1 V out)