Kia unveils UVO ‘powered by Microsoft’ in-car multimedia system

Kia Motors returns to the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which opens today (7 January), to showcase seven new and advanced infotainment technologies, including the all-new ‘UVO’ system co-developed with Microsoft that will appear in future Kia vehicles.

The all-new UVO (short for ‘Your Voice’) system is the world’s most advanced in-car multimedia technology. It features a new level of voice recognition through full Microsoft intelligent speech engine technology, combined with Windows Embedded Auto software, to provide voice- and hand-activated experiences for simple management of music files and hands-free communications.

In addition to the ‘UVO powered by Microsoft’ system which debuts at the 2010 CES, Kia Motors is revealing six new in-vehicle technologies.

In future Kia vehicles, the all-new UVO system will be offered with an innovative touch-sensitive control panel. Advantages over normal buttons include improved response time ensuring sharper and faster reactions to user inputs and enhanced durability with fewer parts.

Looking forward, the use of touch panels with Field Effect ASIC (inner and outer electrodes triggered by finger contact) will enable Kia engineers and designers to take bold steps in rethinking the interior design of Kia models.

Kia is showcasing the world’s first ‘haptic’ control module built into a car’s steering wheel. Touch-sensitive, the haptic control is positioned for easy operation by the driver’s thumb and generates reactive feedback vibrations. It features seven modes to control all elements of the vehicle’s audio system.

Drivers will quickly learn to monitor the car’s systems through touch alone, allowing them to keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road – improving road safety.

Kia’s all-new full Telematics service operates through the car’s built-in audio system via hands-free Bluetooth technology to facilitate better connectivity. Rapid and seamless transfer of information to the vehicle occupants is ensured by the high-speed Telematics service’s 40 bytes-per-second transfer speed (830 bytes-per-second of raw data).

The new system will also provide automatic emergency service calls (in the event of an accident where airbags are activated), navigation and vehicle diagnostics service.

Kia’s new breakthrough TV technology will enable live digital television channels to be watched on in-car entertainment systems for the first time. Uninterrupted TV reception is possible at speeds up to 180 mph, delivering dual-band television transmissions with clear, high-quality broadcasts that entertain and inform rear seat occupants.

The television signal runs through the car’s audio system, allowing a wide variety of content to be viewed and occupants to be alerted to breaking new stories in a visually-rich format.

The main customer benefit of Kia’s new widget system is allowing users easier access to key services by reducing the number of steps involved in accessing them via their car’s terminal screen – both while stationary and in motion.

Developed in partnership with industry leader Ubivelox, Kia’s widget can receive RSS news and financial feeds, immediate traffic and weather reports and updates from networking SNS applications such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Working together with Korean-based Ace-Antenna, Kia has developed two innovative multi-use, high performance antennas that promise to be far more cost-effective to install, operate and maintain.

The ‘Unity External Shark Fin Antenna’ is the world’s first nine-band system that reads a variety of signals, including CDMA and GPS, while incorporating a conventional analog radio aerial. Another world ‘first’, the ‘Unity Internal Mirror Antenna’ features six bands and is incorporated into the rear-view mirror housing. Designed for Telematics and ITS reception, it also supports CDMA and GPS signals.

The 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center runs from 7-10 January. Kia’s stand (#1822), which is located in the North Hall, In-Vehicle Technology Zone, features a UVO-equipped Kia Sorento, a Kia Forte Koup and six new technology displays.

UVO-equipped Kia Sorento and Kia Soul models are also being displayed on the Microsoft ABU (Automotive Business Unit) stand at CES.