Voice Control and Speech - Issues and Questions

[irossiter]

I'm picking up my GTI Performance very soon. I've bought a car in their showroom. The "voice activation" is $400 and can apparently be added as a software upgrade. I'm thinking about it but if it like the Audi system in dad's new S3 I don't think it will be worth it. The voice is like something a robotic 80's Mac had. Also have to SPELL out a street and it couldn't even understand that! Haven't tried the phone yet. My current Merc A250 has a brilliant system. Understood me immediately and no spelling out names, songs titles or addresses. Her polite English accent voice is kinda nice as well! Will try and find out more before I pay for it.


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[boardie_19]

Thanks Irossiter,

If you do end getting the unit installed, please let me know what it's like and more so, if its worth it.

It just seems like everything with VW is an after thought and they are known to be sloppy (as this was stated as standard in the brochure, along with LED registration plate lamps as part of the Bi-Xenon package... had to fight to sort that one out). There is a known issue with the pronouncing of street names with the navigation system. Germany have been advised with no fix in sight... so perhaps it may be worth getting it installed once the software upgrade becomes available.

Cheers,

[DV52]

Hi all,

Volkswagen have finally released the optional voice operation of navigation functions for models fitted with the optional Discover Media audio and satellite navigation system for Comfortline models (fitted with this option) and for Highligh models which are fitted standard with these units.

boardie_19: I'm confused! How is the voice control fix that you are referring-to different from the voice control fix that VW Aust released back in 2013 (about Sept/Nov - I think)? The 2013 fix was intended to activate the "Voice" button on the Discover media head. I got this fix installed on my car - at no cost. The fix on my car will allow the user to navigate through the SATNAV functions but it won't allow the input of addresses by voice. Is this what your fix does?

Incidentally, I've put-up some screen shots of how the voice control works on my mkVII - Regardless of whether your fix is different, I reckon that the broad functionality of voice control function will be the same as mine. The following links may be of interest to those who might be contemplating the additional expenditure.


http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...ml#post1019369 - see post #36

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...ml#post1064920 - see post #165

[boardie_19]

Hi DV52,

Maybe i have it all wrong but when i picked the car up last month, the dealership i purchased the vehicle from in Sydney advised that Voice Control was not currently available (as i asked what the button was for on the steering wheel) but said they would contact me when it became available. I got the call this week from the guy that sold me the car... hence my post. I actually had no idea it had been available all along.

[DV52]

Hi DV52,

Maybe i have it all wrong but when i picked the car up last month, the dealership i purchased the vehicle from in Sydney advised that Voice Control was not currently available (as i asked what the button was for on the steering wheel) but said they would contact me when it became available. I got the call this week from the guy that sold me the car... hence my post. I actually had no idea it had been available all along.

boardie_19: OK, no problems. There's a very long thread about the early days of the voice control fix in my link- it's worth a read if you have a glass or two, or three of whiskey at hand (single malt-of course)!

I just thought (perhaps, hoped) that VW Aust had finally got their SH#T together and had made available a fully integrated voice control function for the Discover media unit (like they do in USA) - where the driver can input the street address into the SATNAV by speaking the words. But alas I fear this is yet another example of the glacial speed with which VW Aust. moves when it comes to post sales service - Das Clunk!

It's a shame, because (IMO) the shoddy Discover media unit seriously detracts from what is an otherwise extremely nice vehicle.

PS: When you asked your dealer about the dead "Voice" button on the Discover media head, did you also ask what the "Traffic" button does (or, is your car one of those that actually has a working traffic button)?

[boardie_19]

DV52,

Yes, will go back and definitely take a read.

I have to say, the whole navigation unit seems like an afterthought. Have already raised the issue of the system not being able to pronounce a street to save itself. They tell me Germany is aware of the issue with no fix in sight. Poor form. Test this stuff before you put the car on the market. Thankfully i only use the car on weekends at the very most and do not rely on the navigation system.

Yes, the traffic button displays 'no reports' i think... i am guessing this also is not supported in Australia.

My friend in the UK has a Mk7 GTI with the voice control option. He said he had it delivered with the vehicle early last year.

[DV52]

DV52,

Yes, will go back and definitely take a read.

I have to say, the whole navigation unit seems like an afterthought. Have already raised the issue of the system not being able to pronounce a street to save itself. They tell me Germany is aware of the issue with no fix in sight. Poor form. Test this stuff before you put the car on the market. Thankfully i only use the car on weekends at the very most and do not rely on the navigation system.

Yes, the traffic button displays 'no reports' i think... i am guessing this also is not supported in Australia.

My friend in the UK has a Mk7 GTI with the voice control option. He said he had it delivered with the vehicle early last year.

boardie_19: You sound just as I did when I first got my car 12 months ago!
I too have had long conversations with VW Aust about the appalling voice pronunciation of the SATNAV voice. VW Aust have known about this issue well before I started talking to them and still no fix (so don't expect much from VWA's statement that Germany is aware of the problem). How hard can it be to get a street navigation software to say the word "Road" correctly?

As for the "Traffic" button, there is good news! I started a post on here suggesting the fledgling steps for a VCDS tweak to enable the traffic button. A couple of colleagues with far greater skills than me completed the tweak. You probably don't have a VCDS cable, but I'm sure someone from the forum up in Sydney who has one will be happy to help. The complete instructions are at the following link (don't tell your dealer)

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...ml#post1038915 - see post #557

[boardie_19]

DV52,

Thanks so much for providing this. Sure, like most owners... I want to get the most out of my new toy so will look into doing this.

Within days of vehicle delivery I noticed the registration plate lights were incorrect. Referred back to the brochure which confirmed my suspicion. Fought with the dealer.. Returned twice etc... Eventually resolved but this was all within the first 5 days of ownership.

The navigation issue is something else... They really are not interested.

I love the car but service in this country sadly stinks. My dealership is horrible to deal with... Quick to take the coin, but that's about all.
I expected more from Volkswagen.

I traded in a Mazda that was only a few years old. It had a few warranty issues while I owned it but nothing was ever a problem. The service was impeccable. Always follow up calls, car detailed each and every time... No hesitation in recommending the brand... Sadly I can't say the same for Volkswagen. Good thing I love the car! ��

[pologti18t]

My friend in the UK has a Mk7 GTI with the voice control option. He said he had it delivered with the vehicle early last year.

Yes, its a UKP180 option in the UK
As is the Discover navigation system - UKP750

Different markets have different standard equipment and options.

[pologti18t]

I just thought (perhaps, hoped) that VW Aust had finally got their SH#T together and had made available a fully integrated voice control function for the Discover media unit (like they do in USA) - where the driver can input the street address into the SATNAV by speaking the words.

What models on sale in the US use the Discover units? They seem to use the RNS315 or 510. No mention of voice control for sat nav. Maybe selecting names for a phonecall

[boardie_19]

DV52,

My bad.... i pressed the traffic button this morning and it brought up a whole heap of traffic delays around town. I took a few pics but have no idea how to upload on this thing (although i was able to with the initial sign up i think).

Down in the corner it displayed SUNA... maybe thats the system that supports it.

Anyways, doubt i will ever use it being in the car on a weekend at the most.... but disappointing that others don't have access to this.

[DV52]

DV52,

My bad.... i pressed the traffic button this morning and it brought up a whole heap of traffic delays around town. I took a few pics but have no idea how to upload on this thing (although i was able to with the initial sign up i think).

Down in the corner it displayed SUNA... maybe thats the system that supports it.

Anyways, doubt i will ever use it being in the car on a weekend at the most.... but disappointing that others don't have access to this.

Boardie_19: Congrarts, seems like Traffic is active on your new car! SUNA is the provider of the traffic reports. You should also see a series of small triangles on the SATNAV screen in the locations where these warks are being conducted. If you touch the screen at these points, a more detailed report is displayed.

As for how to post pics on this forum, this is how it's done (for future reference):

Place the cursor where you want the pic to be inserted, click the tag symbol that I have circled in the pic below:

The background will go opaque and you will then get the windows dialogue box shown in the screen below

If the file that you want to paste onto your post is on your PC (likely this will be the case), make sure that the "From Computer" tab is selected (I've circled this tab). Then click "Basic Uploader" (circled in the bottom RHS of the dialogue box)

You should then get the next screen

Click the " Browse" button and find your file on your PC. Once the location of the file is shown on the tab next to the Browse button, press "Upload files(s)" tab and wait a few seconds for the magic to happen. Note: there are restrictions on the type of files that can be pasted into a post

Hope this helps and I look forward to seeing examples of your new-found expertise

[boardie_19]

Thanks so much... great for future reference!

[Spydar]

I just got voice control added to my 4 week old 7R. I negotiated it in the sale ( ie Free)

Thank god I didn't pay for it. I had voice control in my Mk6 GTI and although it sometime struggled to understand it was a hundred times better. The mk6 would let me enter street names and towns in the navigation section. The discover media in the R does not. Plus its a bit slower to acknowledge a command and move to the next command option.

If you don't negotiate it in the deal - do yourself a favour and dont bother paying the $500 and get it installed later. You're better off putting towards some aftermarket accessories or tinted windows etc. Its an absolute joke. And i agree with comments about the Mercedes voice control... VWG need to pull their fingers out and get a proper voice control system. Even ford is got a cracker!

[grtuned]

All types of voice control systems are difficult to use at times. Using Siri on an I phone is a joke and even on genuine older Vw systems it was difficult to get it right the first time. I don't think technology is good enough to differentiate accents at the moment or will ever be.
Good advise in suggesting other options for people to spend money on rather than something you will eventually get annoyed with and never use.