• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Crime / Courts / Iowa State Patrol tests voice activated car

Iowa State Patrol tests voice activated car

September 9, 2008 By admin

Trooper Marc Griggs in voice activated car. An Iowa State Patrol Trooper is testing some technology that’s reminiscent of a 1980s TV show.

Since February, Trooper Marc Griggs has been driving a voice activated patrol car. He simply tells the onboard computer what to do – rather than punching buttons or flipping switches.

 "Whatever I say, it does," Griggs says,"I don’t have to worry about fumbling around, hitting the radio or light bars. I keep my eyes on the road and my hands on the wheel."

Make no mistake, Griggs is no David Hasselhoff and he’s not driving Kit, the car from the TV show Knight Rider. The voice activated system only repeats what Griggs asks for – and then activates lights, sirens or other technologies.

The system doesn’t carry on conversations and, in fact, doesn’t always recognize Griggs’ requests. When the system malfunctions, Griggs can still use the traditional controls. "I can do it manually, voice activated or by touch screen on the computer," Griggs said. "If one system fails, I have two backups to go to."

Griggs, who’s based in Des Moines, is the only law enforcement officer in the state using the technology. That probably won’t change anytime soon, according to Iowa State Patrol Captain Curt Henderson.

"This is the type of technology that I see eventually working it’s way into our organization, but at this point and time, it’s probably cost prohibited," Henderson said. The system costs around $3,000 per car.

Griggs is testing the unit on behalf of the company 54ward, based in Orangeburg, New York. A company spokesperson says the technology is currently used in nearly every law enforcement vehicle in the state of New Hampshire.

AUDIO: Pat Curtis report. 1:09 MP3

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Crime / Courts, Technology Tagged With: Iowa Highway Patrol, Technology

Featured Stories

Governor signs Iowa Renewable Fuels Standard into law

Jury returns guilty verdict in shooting death of State Trooper

A haboob, a dust storm black out, hits northwest Iowa

Summit has easements for 20% of carbon pipeline route through Iowa

Morel mushroom hunters on hold without warmer conditions

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Iowa Special Olympics Summer games set to open in Ames

Radio Iowa/Baseball Coaches Association High School Poll 5/16/22

Iowa assistant coach Kirk Speraw to retire

Northern Iowa prepares for Missouri Valley Conference softball tournament

T.J. Otzelberger announces staff changes at Iowa State

More Sports

eNews and Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Archives

Copyright © 2022 ยท Learfield News & Ag, LLC