TRL says Knight Rider is the future (well almost)

30/04/2020 | DOMINIC BROWNE

TRL research suggests voice-activated in-car technologies are less distracting than touchscreens and could be the future of automotive infotainment if combined with artificial intelligence (AI).

Currently, voice control systems only understand a set of key commands but conversational AI could help enable 'a versatile, natural interaction' - similar to the famous AI car K.I.T.T. (pictured) from the 1980s TV show Knight Rider starring David Hasselhoff.

TRL's recommendations came in a recent report, commissioned by IAM Roadsmart, FIA Road Safety and Rees Jeffreys Road Fund,  into the impacts of in-vehicle infotainment systems such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on driving performance.

Driver distraction estimated to be a factor in up to 30% of vehicle collisions across Europe.

Highways England chief executive Jim O’Sullivan has previously warned about the dangers of in-car technology and called said the automotive industry should ensure that any distractions should be more than compensated for with other safety technologies.

Dr Neale Kinnear, head of behavioural science at TRL, explained: 'The results of this study clearly show that touch control infotainment systems are highly distracting to drivers, far more so than voice-activated systems.

'However, even current voice control systems increase drivers’ reaction times and remain a concern for road safety. TRL would like to see safety standards improved around infotainment systems, not just by their definition, but also through the harmonisation of standards across the entire transport sector.

'To improve the use and safety impact of in-vehicle technologies, an agreed framework for testing is required to which system manufacturers can demonstrate their safe use before bringing to market

Andy Peart, chief marketing and strategy officer at Artificial Solutions, said conversational AI 'will be the defining technology of the next decade'.

'As it becomes smarter, faster and more advanced, AI will be of immense benefit to in-vehicle systems by allowing more complex user demands to be understood and fulfilled, as well as enabling multi-directional interaction to occur between the system and the consumer.'

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Head of Highways Operations

Salary
Somerset Council
Recruiter: Somerset Council

Team Leader LGV Driver

£27,711.00 - £30,559.00, Grade 6, 37 hours, Permanent
An exciting opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Team Leader LGV Driver working from our Depot at South Kirkby. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Head of Highways and Transportation

£86,196
North Tyneside Council is committed to delivering outstanding services to people and places across the borough. North Tyneside, Tyne and Wear
Recruiter: North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council

Works Technician

£37,399 (plus unsocial hours allowance)
The Works Technician is responsible for ensuring that the London Trams civils and off-track infrastructure Croydon (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: Transport for London

Parking Officer

£31,524 - £35,448
Our workforce is key to making this happen. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Streetcare Operative / LGV Driver WMF2091e

£27,711.00 - £28,624.00
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking to employ an enthusiastic and motivated LGV Driver Ulverston, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highway Network Technician - WMF2090e

£27,711 - £28,624
We are looking to recruit a friendly and motivated candidate to join our Highways Maintenance Team as Highways Network Technician. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Strategic Sites Transport Planner

£47,754 - £51,802 (Plus £4000 Market Forces Supplement) (Pay award pending)
Worcestershire County Council and Wychavon District Council are seeking to appoint an ambitious transport planner. Pershore, Worcestershire
Recruiter: Malvern Hills District Council and Wychavon District Council

Transportation Planning Officer

Band F, SCP 26-31 (£36,124 - £40,476 per annum)
Have you got a degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Planning, Geography or Town Planning? Sandwell, West Midlands
Recruiter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

REL Skip Driver

£27,711.00 - £30,559.00, Grade 6, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for an REL Skip Driver working from our depot at Castleford. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Mechanical and Electrical Engineer

£37,035- £41,511
We have an exciting opening to join our Property Team as a Mechanical & Electrical Engineer. Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Project Chargehand (4 Posts)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum (Pending Pay Award)
We are looking for Project chargehands to lead teams working on highway maintenance and construction projects. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

0846 Head of Highways and Transportation

£86,196 pa
North Tyneside Council is committed to delivering outstanding services to people and places across the borough. North Tyneside, Tyne and Wear / Various
Recruiter: North Tyneside Metropolitan Borough Council

Roadworker/Driver (3 Posts)

Grade 7 £26,248 - £28,161 per annum (Pending Pay Award)
We’re looking for roadworker/drivers to be part of our team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Cleansing Driver / Operative (Pavement Sweeper)

£25,584.00 - £27,269.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Street Cleansing Driver / Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Technical Assistant for Streetworks

£24,309 - £28,163 per annum
The Streetworks Department has an exciting new opening in the service for a Technical Assistant. North Yorkshire / Countywide
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Highways Project Engineer

£30,559 - £41,511
We hybrid work with a mixture of working from home and from our offices in Skipton Skipton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Transportation Planning Officer

Band F, SCP 26-31 (£36,124 - £40,476 per annum)
Have you got a degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Planning, Geography or Town Planning? Sandwell, West Midlands
Recruiter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Senior Technician – Highway Drainage

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum
The Highway Drainage Management Team is an established team within the Highways Service Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Solicitor

NJC34 (43,693) - NJC39 (48,710)
North East Lincolnshire Council’s Legal Services team is a dynamic and integral part of the Council North East Lincolnshire
Recruiter: North East Lincolnshire Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW