New infotainment system from Bosch: Multimedia in the Smart fortwo Voice control for navigation

Easy operation with touch screen
The selection of radio stations within reception range is displayed on the screen as clearly as route guidance with a 2D or 3D map view. The main operating element is the touch screen of the 6.5-inch color display with a flip panel. And then there are only two keys and an encoder to make the Bosch infotainment system quick and easy to operate.

Digital twin tuner
The receiver with the powerful ADR2 chip set (Advanced Digital Receiver) from Bosch is equipped with a digital twin tuner. It can eliminate virtually all multipath interference and picks up even those radio stations that are more remote. The second tuner also evaluates the Traffic Message Channel (TMC) messages broadcast by the radio stations to calculate routes for dynamic navigation. In addition, Dynamic Noise Covering (DNC) uses a microphone to constantly analyze all the driving noises produced and then adjusts the volume and the tone of the car radio accordingly.

Automotive connectivity for easy plug and play
Nowadays, music other than radio comes from different portable data storage media or from portable audio devices. The new Smart fortwo audio system has been designed to offer optimum flexibility and makes it possible to play CDs or MP3 music files on the CD/DVD drive hidden behind the flip panel or to use an SD card slot, a USB slot or an AUX connection. And what's more: the internal iPod® interface provides direct access to the menu of this very popular device. In addition to playing different audio formats, the device is also able to present a slide show of photos recorded digitally in JPEG format and, as a special highlight, it even plays videos. However, for safety's sake, these two functions cannot be accessed while the vehicle is in motion.

Bluetooth connection for safe telephone use
To ensure the safe use of the telephone in the vehicle, Smart has equipped the system for the connection of a Bluetooth cell phone, which can be very conveniently operated using the operating menu. Hands-free operation and such main functions as call lists or the phonebook are automatically available as soon as the phone is connected via Bluetooth.
Bluetooth audio streaming (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile – A2DP) also allows the wireless transmission of audio files from the cell phone to the audio systems, where they can then be played back as music.

Voice control for navigation
The device's navigation system guides the Smart fortwo to its destination using precise acoustic and visual driving recommendations. Following destination entry and quick route calculation, the street views and driving recommendations are clearly laid out on the 6.5-inch touch screen color display – in the either 2D or 3D map view.

The uncomplicated destination input using voice control is a real highlight. Just say the postal code or city and the street and house number and the route calculation function will leap into action. This system offers three different route options (fast, short and economical). In addition to the recommended route, the navigation system can also quickly calculate two alternative routes, if desired. An automatic intersection zoom and a lane assistant guide the driver reliably through even the heaviest road traffic. The system also indicates the speed limits stored in the map database and, if configured accordingly, warns the driver when the speed limit has been exceeded with the following message: “Please observe the speed limit.”

With its rich range of features, the “navigation/multimedia audio system” developed by Bosch and Smart in a joint project more than satisfies all the demands made on a modern head unit today. Smart drivers will certainly take to all these extras quickly, particularly when they realize that it is no longer necessary to purchase and install a separate hands-free system or a portable navigation device. The trouble-free, easy operation of the device provides for convenient navigation, the safe use of the telephone and includes a wide variety of different playback options for audio and video files – it's all as easy as plug and play.