Mercedes-Benz Upgraded Linguatronic on S-Klasse

Ten female and one male voice were recorded for the new Linguatronic system

German automaker Mercedes-Benz has just announced that the latest generation of the Linguatronic voice-operated control system is entering series production with the 2009 E-Klasse. With the help of Linguatronic, the drivers no longer have to take their hands of the wheel to operate the car phone or audio equipment.

The upgraded version of the system means that drivers don’t have to say the town and street name separately as they did before, as they can speak the destination as a single command. Furthermore, the system begins searching the route, only pausing to inquire whether a house number is desired as well, and followed by a verbal confirmation.

According to its developers, Linguatronic has to understand every word, as well as every male or female driver as well, since every person has his or hers own pronunciation tone and speech cadences. Therefore, voices of a dozen female speakers and one male speaker were recorded for the S-Klasse Linguatronic system.

“Voice-operated control is not just about understanding the driver's wishes, but also about entering a dialogue with him. The system responds in a friendly voice if it has failed to understand something, for example, or if it wants the driver to confirm certain operating commands,” says a Company’s statement.


This new procedure currently works for the following languages and countries:

• German: Germany, Austria and Switzerland
• English: Great Britain, Gibraltar and Ireland
• Spanish: Spain
• French: France, Monaco, Belgium and Switzerland
• Italian: Italy, San Marino, Vatican City and Switzerland
• Dutch: Netherlands, Belgium