Now, ‘talking-car’ will tell you where is the nearest petrol station

Talking to your car and getting answers right away may soon become a reality, thanks to a new system that promises to be the world's most advanced in-car voice communication.

The ‘talking-car’ is likely to hit the UK market in 2012 and would be available in one of the country's biggest-selling cars, the Ford Focus, reports the Daily Mail.

Sync, makers of the system, have claimed drivers will be able to use it to ask such age-old questions as “Where's the nearest petrol station?” “Can I go to the toilet?”—or even that constant refrain of generations of children, “Are we nearly there yet?”
 
Ford has said that its voice-operated technology would master 10,000 commands in 19 languages, allowing motorists to control audio, telephone and satnav systems as well as accessing information about the surrounding area.

But while the company has claimed the system would be able to cope with Geordie and other regional accents, critics are asking whether the sheer range of different ways in which we speak will defeat it or whether the extra distraction of trying to master it will lead to more accidents.

The new, advanced version was announced at a technology show in Germany and will be available on the next generation of Ford Focus next year at a price of around £350.

While some luxury cars, such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz, have basic voice command systems already, Ford's claims Sync - developed in partnership with Microsoft - is far more sophisticated than anything currently available.

The system would also allow driver to control the music system, understanding voice instructions to choose a new track on the built-in MP3 player, claimed Ford.

Jason Johnson, Ford's product development engineer, said: “Sync's unique connection between the driver's devices and the vehicle means that the user’s voice can control both the car and the device.”

However Kevin Clinton, head of road safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said he was 'disturbed' that drivers were being encouraged to use mobile phones behind the wheel.

“Drivers also need to be aware that making or receiving phone calls or texting, even if they are not using a hand-held phone, still affects their driving and they could still be prosecuted for not being in proper control of the vehicle,” he added.