Ford Australia says its new SYNC2 in-car technology features natural language recognition. Bonza…

FORD HAS RELEASED details of its second-generation in-car technology, SYNC2, claiming its clever enough to understand “natural” language commands, like saying “warmer” to turn up the air conditions, or “Temperature 20 degrees” to be more specific. You can even say things like “I’m hungry” to bring up a list of local restaurants; you can then use SYNC2 to call up the restaurant and book a table, then provide guidance to the location with turn-by-turn directions.

The clever in-car tech will make its debut in the new Falcon which will hit the street later this year. SYNC2 is controlled by voice, along with commands issued through an 8-inch, high-resolution touchscreen in the car’s dashboard. The driver can control the car’s entertainment system, climate control, satellite navigation and linked mobile devices – like compatible smartphones and tablets – with voice commands.

Ford even reckons SYNC2 understands Australian addresses so the driver can use voice control to say the whole address at once and SYNC2 will work it out. And, where you once had to sit in your car and say the same thing over and over again, or issue one command, wait, and then issue another, and wait again, and so on, SYNC2 is apparently smart enough to figure it out if you just say the name of a singer or a track.

“Australian drivers are fast adopters of in-car technology, so we’re extremely excited to introduce SYNC2 to the ever evolving list of Ford-developed technologies Ford drivers can now experience while on the road,” said Bob Graziano, Chief Executive Officer and President at Ford Motor Company of Australia. “SYNC2 brings a new level of sophistication to voice control, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.”