Audi's next-gen R8 MMI recognizes handwriting, probably increases your insurance premium

There's comes a time in every technology's life when the envelope gets pushed just for the sake of getting pushed. For Audi's already complex MMI, this is it. Right around this time last year, we were drooling quite profusely over the A8's next-generation Multi Media Interface (which is basically a snazzy name for an in-dash NAV system), but this year, we're wondering who exactly will take advantage of the R8's next system. Aside from getting a much needed UI makeover, Autobild is reporting that said platform will include support for handwriting recognition. So far as we can tell, you simply pencil in your next address with your greasy digits and tag the correct word that pops up there on the right. We're still waiting to hear why this is preferred over a decent voice recognition system, but hey, so long as James Bond approves, who are we to argue?

[Via German Car Blog]

[The Mad Mule Posted Jul 31st 2009 1:04AM]

Wait, so in that picture, did you write an "M" and it thought you wrote an "A"?

I hope you just wrote that "M" and it was still computing what letter that was when the screenshot was taken.

HAM!

[dan325013 Posted Jul 31st 2009 1:26AM]

Good to see that handwriting recognition is getting good.

[canny Posted Jul 31st 2009 4:07AM]

He's writing out a word, the HA being the first two letters already done...

[thefourthheat Posted Jul 31st 2009 8:16AM]

Maybe you can set a password to your car to avoid your kids stealing your keys and joyriding with it!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 31st 2009 3:02PM]

If it tells me where the nearest place selling hamburgers is, I'll buy it.

[MSM Posted Jul 31st 2009 3:05PM]

I think he's going to Hamburg

[phlux Posted Jul 31st 2009 1:47AM]

You presume too much.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 31st 2009 12:33PM]

You know too little.

[Bryan T Posted Jul 31st 2009 2:01AM]

I'm not much into sports cars, but some day, I want an R8 (not because of this).

[Professor Kaos Posted Jul 31st 2009 9:06AM]

Yea seeming how since the last generation of VW's , the engineering quality of VW has gone way downhill. They used to be super reliable, and are still nice cars, I adore the GTI, but your statements are dated, VW is just not the same as they were in the in previous years

[Professor Kaos Posted Jul 31st 2009 9:08AM]

Comment was for i-love-macs kid below, apparently engadget wont let me comment on a low ranked n00b

[Kelvinyam Posted Jul 31st 2009 2:21AM]

"Hamburger", with the accurate pronunciation may be required to start the engine.

[thi942 Posted Jul 31st 2009 2:30AM]

hahahaha, most likely yes, do they have this car in US?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 31st 2009 2:37AM]

haha! It even has the accented As for choices!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 31st 2009 2:52AM]

ya and Jaguars are just re-badged Tata cars and Mercedes are just re-badge Chryslers. Also,Lambo and porsches are all re-badged VWs then. With the increase in development cost and the struggle to sell cars, the auto industry is shifting towards big corporate groups that over look multiple car brands. BMW are fortunate to have pretty good financial numbers right now, but 2 bad years financially and your beloved BMW will probably be "re-badged Toyotas"

[Cy Starkman Posted Jul 31st 2009 3:03AM]

Are shifting to big corporate composites? They already had. As for your bizzare comment about Crysler, who picked up their fallen carcass this year? I recall a bit of fighting over the bones.

And bagging on engineering... So just because, say, Microsoft made "the paperclip helper" you figure the same effort and parts went into Server 2008?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 31st 2009 2:53AM]

You, sir, are an idiot.

And by your reasoning, Lamborghini (who are 100% owned by Audi), also produce rebadged Volkswagens with no quality and lousy engineering.

[Avex Posted Jul 31st 2009 6:09AM]

Much needed UI overhaul? Are you having a laugh. The Audi MMI system is widely regarded as one of the clearest, easiest systems out there. Just look at the total hash BMW made of iDrive, or Mercedes with its iDrive wannabe.

Having said that, handwriting recognition is a pointless gimmick. Natural speech voice control would be nice.

[bluknite Posted Jul 31st 2009 11:55AM]

I agree, I use the MMI daily in my A6 and it is a breeze to use. It took me all of 5 minutes to get acquainted with it.
Handwriting recognition looks like an interesting direction to explore but ultimately not very efective as an input system in a car.

[FallenArms3 Posted Jul 31st 2009 8:02AM]

Somehow I doubt this is going to work as well for us lefties.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 31st 2009 8:08AM]

Well, if you need the word Hamburger (like somebody who's actually from Hamburg, Germany) to start the car, this dude will be in trouble:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lz0IT4Uk2xQ

The best scene of the whole movie, BTW!

[SewerShark Posted Jul 31st 2009 8:09AM]

People are dying to text while driving.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 31st 2009 8:28AM]

...literally...

[Bt1988 Posted Jul 31st 2009 8:33AM]

Do they mean the A8 rather than the R8? It mentions the A8 first and then switches to R8. Plus a hand writing recognition would make more sense to be debuted in their flagship luxury sedan (A8) rather than their super car (R8)

[E30 Kid Posted Jul 31st 2009 12:30PM]

It's the A8. I swear I saw this story on Autoblog yesterday.

Why would they put handwriting recognition in the R8 when the MMI knob isn't even on the console? It's below the Nav screen so it doesn't take up space.

[vlad786 Posted Jul 31st 2009 12:23PM]

Lol - "James Bond approves it" :D

[dg988 Posted Jul 31st 2009 12:31PM]

"Who are we to argue"?!?!?!

THE GUY WHO'S GETTING SMASHED INTO WHILE YOU FIDDLE WITH YOUR HANDWRITING RECOGNITION WHILE YOU'RE EFFIN' DRIVING!

This crap should all be illegal. Texting. Talking on the phone. Playing with your GPS. WRITING WORDS ON A TOUCHSCREEN.

I'm going to die because you idiots think its awesome to NOT be looking at the road while you speed around at 80mph with your kid in the back seat.

[Jimi Posted Jul 31st 2009 5:58PM]

Although I'm pretty sure this is on the A8 and not the R8, I can say that I have driven an R8 and it was INSANE. I wish I could afford one!!! Maybe in 10 years I can get a 10 year old one LOL