WorldDAB turns its attention to voice control in the car

09.12.2020 by WorldDAB

WorldDAB continues to plan the future of the in-car user experience for digital radio and is now turning its focus to the DAB+ user experience of voice control and hybrid radio

The WorldDAB Automotive Working Group is set to consult with vehicle manufacturers and broadcasters in 2021 to help develop DAB+ guidelines using voice control as part of hybrid radio in the car.

This work will take place in the first quarter of 2021, with the new Guidelines being published in March 2021 as an extended version of the existing WorldDAB User Experience (UX) Design Guidelines.

Voice control and speech recognition are now essential features in the car dashboard, enabling drivers to search and change stations seamlessly while keeping their eyes on the road.

Providing clear guidance to vehicle manufacturers and broadcasters on how to implement voice control for DAB+ stations is crucial to ensure radio broadcasters’ content maintains its strong presence in the car.

As well as voice control, the extended Guidelines will include new information on how to implement hybrid radio for a great digital radio user experience with DAB+ at the heart of the radio experience.

The WorldDAB UX Guidelines were developed to help radio stakeholders and vehicle manufacturers improve the DAB+ user experience for drivers in the car. This work is part of the WorldDAB Automotive Working Group’s initiative to bring clarity to the market and ensure the best possible experience for drivers now and in the future.

This is particularly important given that the EECC Directive, which requires that all new passenger cars in the EU are capable of receiving digital terrestrial radio, comes into force on 21 December 2020. The Directive applies across all EU member states regardless of their DAB+ development. This is a game changer for all broadcasters, giving them the security that their services will be on air in new cars from this point and in the future. Vehicle manufacturers have also been given the clarity they needed to implement what is the biggest change in radio receivers in the car for many years, all indications show the vehicle manufacturers are ready for this change.

Parties wishing to contribute to the UX guidelines’ new sections on voice control and hybrid are encouraged to contact the WorldDAB Project Office.