Voice Control and Speech - Issues and Questions

[angelus512]

Ok guys. I've returned to the forum after a while because I figure this question had been answered/solved by now. It was my recollection that it was the consensus of Australian Golf owners that the speaking/voice command symbol on the steering wheel beneath the call button was DISABLED for use in Australia.

Whereas in Europe you could press it and if you had Siri on your phone issue your phone voice commands that way. I am wondering
A) Is my recollection accurate?
B) Have any of us found a way to enable this as I imagine it can't be that difficult for an IT boffin.

C) I pressed it myself yesterday randomly and all it did was mute my speakers but thats it.

[Eaglehawk]

A) Yes.
B) No.
C) Yes.

[Ryan_R]

It could be enabled/disabled on the Mk6 using VCDS - maybe ask RossTech if they've sussed it out for the Mk7.

[b c]

Heard from Customer Care that Voice Activation is now available as an "Accessory" at the dealership, although just a software change/patch/upgrade. No idea how much they want. Will be takling to my dealer in the new year as it was advertised as a feature on my highline.

[DV52]

Ok guys. I've returned to the forum after a while because I figure this question had been answered/solved by now. It was my recollection that it was the consensus of Australian Golf owners that the speaking/voice command symbol on the steering wheel beneath the call button was DISABLED for use in Australia.

Whereas in Europe you could press it and if you had Siri on your phone issue your phone voice commands that way. I am wondering
A) Is my recollection accurate?
B) Have any of us found a way to enable this as I imagine it can't be that difficult for an IT boffin.

C) I pressed it myself yesterday randomly and all it did was mute my speakers but thats it.

Angelus512: There are a few threads on this topic (which you should read). I assume that you bought a Golf Highline earlier in the year (as did I). I have had quite a few discussions with VW Aust. on this very matter (including other warranty issues). As I understand the facts, the April 2013 Brochure for the Golf advertised that the Highline series came standard with Voice Control (on page 36 - Specifications section). At the back of this brochure VW Aust. has their standard legal caveat which says that the specifications are subject to change. I believe that VW Aust. revised this brochure and that the May 2013 version has all reference to Voice Control deleted. This notwithstanding many of the earlier brochures were in circulation at dealerships when I bought my Golf in mid 2013 and I received no advise from the sales reps about the changed specification (I assume that this situation was the same for you)

Anyhow after many months of spirited discussion with the wise folk at VW Aust. (they call themselves "customer care representatives" albeit I think that this name might be a tad misleading) I was eventually informed that they would provide the fix at thier cost.

My car is at the dealership this morning to have the software patch fitted. Not sure if the fix will work - I'll know after I collect the car.
PS: I'm still in heated discussion with VV Aust about the other warranty matters (unintelligable Sat Nav voice prenunciation and abysmal FM reception) but I suspect that I will need to avail myself of Australia's consumer law instruments to solve these issues (alas). It's a real pity that such a good car has to be spoiled by VW Aust.'s deplorable after sales service.

[blutopless2]

any reason they deleted the option if it was already available on the MK6?

[Ryan_R]

Because people complained it didn't understand Aussie accents well enough

I find if I speak to it the way I expect its robotic voice would speak to me it works well enough to call people in my address book or enter an address for navigation. That may mean emphasising syllables or mispronouncing words/names.

[guile]

Because people complained it didn't understand Aussie accents well enough

I find if I speak to it the way I expect its robotic voice would speak to me it works well enough to call people in my address book or enter an address for navigation. That may mean emphasising syllables or mispronouncing words/names.

so if i'm understanding you correctly you are saying that voice commands such as, "g'day mate, gi me shazza's phone number you flammin' galah" won't work?

[blutopless2]

Because people complained it didn't understand Aussie accents well enough

ah that explains it... have always thought I spoke another language, this confirms it coz my RNS510 has no problem understanding me.

[Ryan_R]

Exactly

Try "Call Stone, Sharon, on mobile........... Yes" next time guile

[jdbrown1953]

Just got the "skinny" on voice recognition in the golf 7 Highline models from a very helpful VW service manager. VWA have issued a kit - at $450 and recommended to dealers 2 hours to fit it. So all up it's going to be around $600 -$650 installed. Apparently it requires the removal of some interior trim. It would want to be bloody good at this price. Helpful service manager advised to wait and see as it was expensive and as yet there is no information out there on how well it may work!

[DV52]

Just got the "skinny" on voice recognition in the golf 7 Highline models from a very helpful VW service manager. VWA have issued a kit - at $450 and recommended to dealers 2 hours to fit it. So all up it's going to be around $600 -$650 installed. Apparently it requires the removal of some interior trim. It would want to be bloody good at this price. Helpful service manager advised to wait and see as it was expensive and as yet there is no information out there on how well it may work!

jbdrown1953:I hear what your saying, but my dealer gave me an entirely different story! Not sure where the truth lies, but my dealer rang me last week to say that he had in his "hot little hand" (his words exactly) a CD that VW Australia provided for the Voice Control fix. His explanation was that what was required was some kind of "authorisation code" to enable the function.
To be fair, my circumstance might be a little different because my 103TSI Highline was meant to have voice control from the get-go (at least that's what the April 2013 VW brochure said). It may be that my Highline already has the necessary hardware installed. It might be that the fix for the Highline series is simply a bit of extra software. Whereas the $450 +fitting time option is for an upgrade (like putting voice control on the comfortline series).
Given Ryan_R's commentary on the ability of the VW system to recognise Aussie accents, I would be very wary at spending this kind of money and then finding out that it only works if you speak like Prince Charles, or his Mum!

[jdbrown1953]

My Highline is a June 2013 build. It may be that at that time VWA had deleted voice control from their build in the factory. On a related topic I am also waiting for a fix to the appalling navigation system voice directions which are unintelligible making the system useless. This fix was also due about now.

[pologti18t]

It seems that voice control is optional in the UK as well. UKP185 option.

[AdamD]

Just got the "skinny" on voice recognition in the golf 7 Highline models from a very helpful VW service manager. VWA have issued a kit - at $450 and recommended to dealers 2 hours to fit it. So all up it's going to be around $600 -$650 installed. Apparently it requires the removal of some interior trim.

I'm not sure why any hardware would be required. Voice control needs a microphone obviously, but that will have been installed as part of the factory standard bluetooth, so I can't see what else would be needed... unless they have decided there's a need for a supplemental mic or it's an entirely separate system?