Voice Control and Speech - Issues and Questions

[Ryan_R]

Sounds to me like they've got a new firmware CD and want to charge handsomely for it.

[jdbrown1953]

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?

Yes agree I would have thought that from a factory build perspective all the gear would be there and it would just be a matter via VAG com of activating the feature. No need for CD's and the like. Unless VWA deleted this feature from the factory build. There so much conflicting information and speculation out there atm so the best is to wait and let the dust settle and let the facts emerge.

[DV52]

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.

jdbrown: I hate to be a continuous harbinger of bad news but I suspect that you will be disapointed at VW Aust's response to the Sat Nav pronunciation problem. I have already received a letter about this issue from my "customer care advisor" (there's that misnomer again) from VW Aust. The letter (which was dated late November 2013) states that the matter has been referred to "our factory in Germany but there are no software updates". The letter goes on to say that "regardless of this, the Satelite Navagation unit has been determined to be performing as per the manuafacture's specification".
This is why I said in my previous post that I will need to rely on Australia's consumer law to progress this issue. Whilst I relish the prospect of testing (in law) VW Aust's assertion that the Sat Nav is operating as per its design, my understanding is that as a result of recent changes in conumer law, I must prosecute my case against the dealer (not against VW Aust). I guess this makes sense given that the contract of sale was between the dealer and me. But the dealer has been my staunchest ally in trying to fix this problem, whereas VW Aust. have been constantly agressive in their denial to this warranty claim.

Anyhow, I hope that you get a different response (than I did ) about the Sat Nav pronunciation issue. If you do, please let the rest of us know the outcome (because I assume that like me, you are also a member of the proletariate - and we all need to stick together comrade!)

[AJD]

jdbrown: I hate to be a continuous harbinger of bad news but I suspect that you will be disapointed at VW Aust's response to the Sat Nav pronunciation problem. I have already received a letter about this issue from my "customer care advisor" (there's that misnomer again) from VW Aust. The letter (which was dated late November 2013) states that the matter has been referred to "our factory in Germany but there are no software updates". The letter goes on to say that "regardless of this, the Satelite Navagation unit has been determined to be performing as per the manuafacture's specification".
This is why I said in my previous post that I will need to rely on Australia's consumer law to progress this issue. Whilst I relish the prospect of testing (in law) VW Aust's assertion that the Sat Nav is operating as per its design, my understanding is that as a result of recent changes in conumer law, I must prosecute my case against the dealer (not against VW Aust). I guess this makes sense given that the contract of sale was between the dealer and me. But the dealer has been my staunchest ally in trying to fix this problem, whereas VW Aust. have been constantly agressive in their denial to this warranty claim.

Anyhow, I hope that you get a different response (than I did ) about the Sat Nav pronunciation issue. If you do, please let the rest of us know the outcome (because I assume that like me, you are also a member of the proletariate - and we all need to stick together comrade!)

You can take the matter to VCAT and nominate anyone you like as the defendant. Volkswagen are the manufacturer and supplier of the product, the Dealer is merely acting as their agent.

[AJD]

The latest direct from VWA today…
"Thank you for your email.

An accessory is available to enable the voice command within the Golf 7 variants, please liaise with the parts department within a Volkswagen dealership who will be able to assist you further.

To locate your nearest Volkswagen dealership please use the link below,
</title><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /><meta http-equiv="Content-Language" content="en" /><meta name="keywords" content="Volkswagen Australia" /><meta name="description" content="YouVW" /><meta name="VW.urltitle1"

Should you require further information or assistance please contact our Customer Care team on 1800 607 822.

Wishing you a happy holiday season.

Kind Regards,

Fidel Jalotjot
Customer Care Frontline Advisor
VOLKSWAGEN Group Australia

Regents Park Business Centre
PO Box 414
Regents Park NSW 2143

Phone: 1800 607 822"

[DV52]

The latest direct from VWA today…
"Thank you for your email.

An accessory is available to enable the voice command within the Golf 7 variants, please liaise with the parts department within a Volkswagen dealership who will be able to assist you further.

Phone: 1800 607 822"

AJD: Thanks for the sugestion about VCAT (your previous post to the one above). Sounds more straight-forward than Consumer Law and I can savour the delightful task of talking directly to VWA about their claim that Sat NAv is operating as designed.

Apropos of your email from VWA (above), I just got the fix for Voice Control fitted to my car by my dealer. It only involved a software patch (authorization code - I think). Voice Control works OK now. It will control almost all the functions on the infortainment unit. Ryan_R was correct about the need to speak carefully, but it isn't too difficult if you speak slowly.

[Ryan_R]

Is it just me who finds it slightly amusing that this thread relates both to A) complaints that a feature isn't working as well as people expect, & B) an expected feature is missing because VWA believed it wouldn't work well enough for us. At least you guys are getting sat nav included with the car - it was a $3000 option in the Mk6, plus you needed to spend $500 for the Bluetooth option.

[veew]

I just got the fix for Voice Control fitted to my car by my dealer. It only involved a software patch (authorization code - I think). Voice Control works OK now. It will control almost all the functions on the infortainment unit. Ryan_R was correct about the need to speak carefully, but it isn't too difficult if you speak slowly.

Glad to hear! So is the voice recognition based on your iPhone/Siri or done by the car?

[emufriedchicken]

and what does this cost ..for the dealer to put the software patch on the car? Just wondering if I should get them to do it while its getting it PD before they deliver it

[dhoodle]

Just wondering if it is worth the extra cost? I am getting mine in 2 weeks, and wondering if I should ring and asked this to be added as well.

[DV52]

Is it just me who finds it slightly amusing that this thread relates both to A) complaints that a feature isn't working as well as people expect, & B) an expected feature is missing because VWA believed it wouldn't work well enough for us. At least you guys are getting sat nav included with the car - it was a $3000 option in the Mk6, plus you needed to spend $500 for the Bluetooth option.

Ryan_R: Isn't life always about finding amusement where ever one can? On a more serious note, I suspect the central tenor of the replies on this thread is more about the nature of the initating post (which was a comment on the lack of response on voice control button on the Golf steering wheel). For me, the kind of debate demonstrated in the various replies here is a healthy sign that consumers are prepared to hold manufacturers to account for what they say in their advertising material. I'd like to share your confidence that VWA has such a keen regard for the interests of their customers, but alas I'm far too synical about the motives of such large corporations (I agree that my views about car manufacturers needs to improve).

As for paying $3K for VW's Sat Nav- All I can say is that I hope that the product on the mk6 works a whole lot better than its equivalent on the Mk7. For just over $100, I could have bought a low-end Tomtom that at least would have shown me where the traffic lights were (the mk7 Sat Nav doesn't even do this). There are no speed camera zones on the mk7 Sat Nav and the speed limits that it shows are often wrong. Then there is the issue of the mk 7's voice pronunciation. Averall, the Mk7 Sat Nav is just a very sub-standard product that should have had a lot of work done on it by VW before its release.

[DV52]

Glad to hear! So is the voice recognition based on your iPhone/Siri or done by the car?

VeeW: I don't think that the voice control fix that I got installed on my Golf is related to any Apple product. I've only had a short play with the function since I got the car back from the dealer but it seems to use its own software. I don't have an IPhone to check how this type of phone integrates with VW's Voice Control (if at all)

[Ryan_R]

That map data is provided by Sensis (Telstra), and the most up to date versions are at least a year old at best. Mapping Australia is a relatively large task compared to other countries and the uptake is relatively low compared to European countries. If I get my way my next car will have a Google Maps navigation system integrated into the car. Audi Connect offers this, and even some Korean cars are planning Android based infotainment systems.

For the record a lot of us Mk6 owners on the forum purchased various optional systems and retrofitted them ourselves for considerable savings. I've personally retrofitted RNS510, bluetooth, MDI, reversing camera, sports steering wheel (GTI style with DSG paddles) and pedals, etc (a friend helped with some of those).

[DV52]

and what does this cost ..for the dealer to put the software patch on the car? Just wondering if I should get them to do it while its getting it PD before they deliver it

emufriedchicken: (great handle!!). My position with VW Aust. was that I expected voice control to come standard with my Golf Highline because that's what thier advertising material said when I purchased the vehicle. In my defence, I was able to prove my case because I fortunately kept a copy of the VW brochure that I was given by the dealer. So the dealer installed the Voice Control fix as a warranty claim (I paid no additional money above that of the original cost of the vehicle).

Not sure that someone who has just purchased a Golf can mount the same arguement because the current brochures (as I understand) no longer claim that the highline series have voice control. Not sure what it would cost to buy voice control as an option. I guess that every new Golf buyer needs to decide if the value of this option is commensurate with the cost.

[DV52]

That map data is provided by Sensis (Telstra), and the most up to date versions are at least a year old at best. Mapping Australia is a relatively large task compared to other countries and the uptake is relatively low compared to European countries. If I get my way my next car will have a Google Maps navigation system integrated into the car. Audi Connect offers this, and even some Korean cars are planning Android based infotainment systems.

For the record a lot of us Mk6 owners on the forum purchased various optional systems and retrofitted them ourselves for considerable savings. I've personally retrofitted RNS510, bluetooth, MDI, reversing camera, sports steering wheel (GTI style with DSG paddles) and pedals, etc (a friend helped with some of those).

Ryan_R: I was already aware of your considerable prowess with VCDS. It would appear that your skills go much further than Mr Ross's diagnostic tools. One of the reasons why troglodytes like me come these forum is to talk to people like you!