ADAC evaluates voice control effectiveness in modern vehicles

The German automobile club ADAC has conducted a study to determine if voice control can mitigate the distractions caused by the replacement of physical buttons with complex touchscreen menus in modern cars.

Testing involved 40 vehicle models across three categories: infotainment systems, climate control, and safety-relevant functions. The BMW 5 Series performed exceptionally well, successfully executing 16 out of 18 tested commands. In contrast, the Suzuki e-Vitara received a poor rating, managing only three out of 18 commands.

While infotainment and climate control systems showed relatively high success rates, the study found that most vehicles cannot yet use voice commands to operate visibility or assistance systems, such as hazard lights or speed warnings.