If you were a fan of the 80s TV show Knight Rider, you may be interested in Lexus’ new system being installed in its cars. The system will allow your Lexus to talk to you, but not in the same way K.I.T.T. talked to Michael in Knight Rider.
Named the Lexus Insider, the system will allow Lexus to send audio messages to participating owners on whatever subject it chooses, from tips on making the best use of the vehicles’ features to suggestions for a scenic drive,
reports USA Today.
"We’re not going to barrage customers with marketing messages," said Jon Bucci, vice president of Toyota’s U.S. advanced technology unit.
While critics say the system is the same thing as receiving junk mail advertisements, Toyota says it allows the automaker to inform drivers of things like resort reviews and wine tours. It can tailor the lifestyle messages to be targeted to the driver’s specific vehicle type or zip code, Bucci says.
The Lexus Insider system will be installed in vehicles being delivered later this year. The system will not require a subscription, unlike GM’s OnStar. Those who don’t want to hear the messages can simply choose to delete them.
Drivers who want to hear the messages will see whether they have any messages when they start the car. They can hear the message right away or turn to a section of the navigation system where they see a list of waiting audio messages. Each message can last upwards of three minutes. Drivers can talk back to the message, but it will not respond to you like Michael Knight’s K.I.T.T. car would.
Unfortunately, your new Lexus won’t have a conversation with you like Michael’s K.I.T.T. car did.
Top image via virginmedia.com.
