New Natural Voice Technology Allows for Faster, Easier Access to OnStar Services

OnStar Partners with Nuance Communications to Improve User Experience

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Jan 26, 2011, 10:29 ET

DETROIT, Jan. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- OnStar is the first company to offer Nuance Communications Inc.'s (Nasdaq: NUAN) latest voice recognition software, available in 2011 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac models.

The more flexible voice recognition system makes it easier for subscribers to navigate services and features through its ability to understand voice commands in a natural manner. Users can simply say, "I need to make a phone call," instead of going through a prompt and using more formal language like, "dial" or "call."

Natural voice technology also allows subscribers to connect with the OnStar Virtual Advisor to access personalized weather and traffic updates by saying common phrases including, "get traffic info," or "what's the weather today?" Through text-to-speech technology, subscribers will instantly receive their requested update from an OnStar Virtual Advisor.

"Understanding and responding to our subscribers' needs through natural voice recognition is one of the ways we keep drivers safely connected to the people and information that matters most to them," said Scott Kubicki, executive director, OnStar Sales, Services and Marketing.

OnStar and Nuance also have made significant improvements that enable the system to better understand the many regional dialects across OnStar's subscriber base. Now a subscriber in southern Louisiana will be just as easily understood as a subscriber in New York or Minnesota. To achieve this, OnStar engineers perform extensive validation tests across English, French, Spanish and Mandarin languages and dialects using various vehicle models in a wide range of driving and noise conditions to achieve flexible speech recognition.

"Enhancing its voice capabilities demonstrates OnStar's long-standing commitment to mobility, innovation and safety for its diverse subscriber population," said Michael Thompson, senior vice president and general manager, Nuance Mobile. "When you couple OnStar's proven experience in safety and connectivity with Nuance's automotive voice innovation, you have achieved a platform that allows for a smarter, simpler driving experience."

OnStar and Nuance are also collaborating to develop uNav, a new self-service feature that allows subscribers to quickly receive directions to a destination using an automated voice system after pressing the blue OnStar button.

Availability

For 2011 model Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles, OnStar Virtual Advisor service is standard on all OnStar equipped vehicles. To learn more about OnStar subscription options, visit www.onstar.com.

About General Motors – General Motors Company (NYSE: GM, TSX: GMM), one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 209,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in more than 120 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 31 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Baojun, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall, and Wuling. GM's largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Italy, Russia, Mexico, and Uzbekistan. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com

About OnStar

OnStar, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and communication services. OnStar is available on more than 40 MY 2011 GM models. OnStar provides services to nearly six million subscribers in the U.S. and Canada. Shanghai OnStar Telematics Co. Ltd., a joint venture between OnStar, LLC, Shanghai Automotive Industry Sales Co., Ltd. and Shanghai General Motors, provides services in China. More information about OnStar can be found at www.onstar.com. OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown is a recipient of the 2010 Edison Award for Best New Product in the technology category.

About Nuance Communications, Inc.

Nuance is a leading provider of speech and imaging solutions for businesses and consumers around the world. Its technologies, applications and services make the user experience more compelling by transforming the way people interact with information and how they create, share and use documents. Every day, millions of users and thousands of businesses experience Nuance's proven applications and professional services. For more information, please visit: nuance.com.

SOURCE General Motors