SmartCarReport

Communication and Voice Commands

2 min read

Staying connected while driving is important, but doing it safely is even more so. Infotainment systems via CarPlay/AA excel at hands-free communication:

  • Calls: When your phone is connected, you can make and answer calls through the car’s speakers and microphone. A simple voice command like “Call Dad” does the trick[38]. Incoming calls show on the screen and can be answered with a tap or voice. The audio is typically clearer thanks to the car’s mic and noise suppression.
  • Texts and Messaging: Both Siri and Google Assistant will read incoming text messages aloud if you ask (or automatically, if settings allow). You can then dictate a reply. For instance, with CarPlay if a text comes in, Siri can say “You have a message from Jane: Are you on your way? Would you like to reply?” You can just say “Yes, tell her I’m about 10 minutes out.” Your spoken reply is converted to text and sent – all without touching your phone[38]. This works with SMS, iMessage, WhatsApp, and other supported messaging apps.
  • Voice Assistants: “Hey Siri” and “Hey Google” become your best friends. Nearly any action – navigating, playing music, sending a message, checking calendar, even asking general knowledge questions or weather – can be done via voice. The key advantage is keeping your eyes on the road. For example, if you’re curious about the weather at your destination, you can ask your voice assistant and get an answer through the speakers. Some newer systems even integrate Alexa Auto, so you can say “Alexa, add milk to my shopping list” while driving and it’ll sync to your Echo at home.

Automakers have found that voice control significantly improves safety when interacting with infotainment. And it’s getting more powerful: Mercedes is integrating advanced AI like ChatGPT into their voice assistant to allow more natural conversations in the car[53][54]. That means soon you might be able to have a more freeform dialogue (“Hey Mercedes, I’m feeling hungry for pizza.” – “There’s a well-rated pizzeria 2 miles away, shall I set it as your destination?”).

If you’re new to voice commands, start trying them – it might feel odd talking to your car, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll rarely touch the screen for common tasks.