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New York Cell Phone Ban Not the End of Communication in Cars
Posted by WDN, July 02, 2001
Michigan-based Software Company I/NET, Inc.
Developing A Solution For Reducing Driver Distraction
KALAMAZOO, Mich., Jun 29, 2001 -- Following the recent passage of a law in the State of New York restricting drivers from using
hand-held cell phones in the car, I/NET, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: INNI) today reaffirmed its commitment to developing software to reduce driver distraction and
to protect the safety of motorists.
I/NET, which has developed technologies for NASA and IBM, has created a software system for verbally controlling vehicles that is aware of the driver's
circumstances. It goes beyond voice commands, is natural to use, and is aware of the car's environment -- smart enough to stop talking when a driver makes a
lane change, for example.
For a conversational interface, it is necessary that the
computer have at least a rudimentary understanding of
the context in which it operates. Consider again the
driver asking the car for directions. If the driver asks
for directions to Springfield, for example, it is crucial
for the car to understand where the car is located, so it
can plot a course from this beginning point. Beyond
this, however, it is also crucial for the car to know that
there are several cities with the name of “Springfield,”
and to be able to talk with the driver about which city
is the destination. It is not enough to know, for
example, that Springfield, Illinois is a more likely
destination that Springfield, Missouri. - from I/NET's conversational interface
whitepaper.
"Hands-free devices are only part of the solution," said Dr. Will Fitzgerald, I/NET chief technology officer. "As the number of in-car devices and off-board
services available to drivers multiply, safe driving requires a system that can carry on a natural dialogue with a driver and that knows about what is going on in a
car, including potential distractions. Even voice commands are distracting if you struggle to remember what the commands are."
The conversational interface is being developed for use in automobiles to control on-board devices such as the radio, communication devices such as cell
phones and telematics systems such as navigation aids and Internet access. A conversational interface, also termed a natural language interface, allows a
person to interact with a computer or control system using normal, conversational language. Unlike voice recognition systems that simply substitute sound for
typed commands, a conversational interface provides a natural, intuitive dialogue between people and computing systems.
Though the prevention of motorists using hand-held cell phones while driving may decrease the amount of driver distractions, there are many other devices,
such as telematics systems and in-car internet access, that are potentially distracting and could cause danger to motorists. I/NET's conversational interface
technology is aware of the context a speaker is in -- which makes it easier and more natural to communicate, and also potentially safer compared to fumbling
with buttons and dials or recalling static voice commands.
For more information about the conversational interface please see http://www.inetmi.com/ci/
Under a legislation signed into law by New York Gov. George Pataki, motorists caught talking on a cell phone while driving will receive a fine of up to $100
starting in December. The law will also enable the Department of Motor Vehicles to document hands-free cellular devices as a cause for a car accident.
In February of 2001, I/NET, a Kalamazoo, Mich. based software and Web solutions provider, announced that it has established an office in Chicago, Ill. to
pursue the development of conversational interfaces and intelligent controls. In March, the Company announced a contract to develop a form of intelligent
control technology for NASA known as the "Complex Event Recognition Architecture" or CERA.
I/NET provides software and services to small businesses and Fortune 500 corporations. Established in 1982 as a contract software development firm, I/NET
has been a pioneer in the areas of digital imaging, voice recognition and multimedia. Visit http://www.inetmi.com .
This news release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ substantially from these statements. For a more complete
disclosure of these risk factors, please refer to the Company's quarterly Form 10-Q and Form 10-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT: Dr. Will Fitzgerald of I/NET, Inc., 616-344-3017, ext. 102,
fitzgerald@inetmi.com ; Don Hunt or Ryan McGrath of Lambert, Edwards &
Associates, Inc., 616-233-0500, mail@lambert-edwards.com, for I/NET, Inc.
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