Google’s New In Car Interface News Part III

Android Auto allows drivers to make phone calls, send text messages, navigate with Google Maps and play music from streaming services such as Pandora and Spotify. It mainly uses voice controls, which Strickland said is a wise approach.

Upon revealing its Android Auto interface last week, Google said that there are about two dozen brands that have pledged to use it in the production of cars, 21 of those sell in the US. These manufacturer’s that are on board at this point are:

1.  Acura                                    8. Ford                                      15. Mazda
2.  Audi                                       9. Honda                                   16. Mitsubishi
3.  Bentley                                 10. Hyundai                             17. Nissan
4.  Chevrolet                            11. Infiniti                                  18. Ram
5.  Chrysler                               12. Jeep                                     19. Subaru
6.  Dodge                                   13. Kia                                        20. Volvo
7.  Fiat                                        14. Maserati                             21. VW

NHTSA research suggests that talking on a hands-free cell phone is not particularly risky. The risk mainly lies in handling the phone and looking away from the road.

But voice controls aren’t foolproof. Studies have shown drivers can handle only so much of a cognitive workload before their driving suffers. This is so very true. Take a personal check and ask yourself if you too are distracted by the mere conversation. When someone is requesting a serious response to a serious question, this takes your full attention. Therefore, you are no longer paying attention to the road before you. I use my hands-free system all of the time, but if it becomes a conversation that goes beyond pleasantries, then I either tell them I will call them back, or I pull over into a parking lot to complete the conversation.