At its most basic, OnStar consists of four different types of technology: cellular, voice recognition, GPS and vehicle telemetry. All of the services that OnStar provides are a result of one or more of these technologies working together.
OnStar's cellular service is voice-activated and hands-free. The console contains a built-in microphone and uses the car speakers. To make a call, you speak a phone number or a previously stored name associated with a phone number. The console is connected to a Vehicle Comm and Interface Module (VCIM), which uses a cellular antenna on top of the car to transmit signals to OnStar's cellular network. (For more information on cellular technology, see How Cell Phones Work.) OnStar's cellular service has a better range than most cell phones (although you can still lose service in remote areas), with a full three watts instead of a regular cell phone's 0.6 watts. With some OnStar plans, you can also use the cellular service just as you would a regular cell phone plan.
For calls to the advisor, OnStar uses voice recognition software similar to that already used in some hand-held cell phones. However, one of OnStar's unique features is the ability to "surf the Web" using the Virtual Advisor automated system. For this service, OnStar uses text-to-voice technology called VoiceXML. When you ask for information, such as "weather," the software translates your request into XML (Extensible Markup Language) and matches it to settings in your OnStar profile. Then it translates the information into VoiceXML and reads it to you. The GPS receiver is called OnCore, and it is part of the VCIM (older OnStar-equipped vehicles have separate modules for the cell phone and GPS system). A GPS receiver uses the amount of time that it takes for a radio signal to get from satellites to a specific location to calculate distance. (For more information on GPS, see How GPS Receivers Work). The OnStar Call Center uses four different satellites to pinpoint the car's location when either the driver or the car itself asks to be located.
Now this is what i call SMART and SAFE technology. To read more on how OnStar works click the link below.
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/onstar2.htm
Our first car that had OnStar was our 2002 Grand Prix and at the time we thought that technology was one of the neatest things and more than once it came in quite handy, once when we ran out of gas and the other time when we got into an accident. We now have a 2008 Pontiac G8 and over the past couple of years the technology has improved. Not only are you able to make calls and have direct connection with emergency services, you can now listen to your email and text messages, check the weather, get directions, and check the status of your lit check engine light or service light.
ReplyDeleteOnStar is a great service offering a wide variety of functions. Although it can be a little pricey it is well worth it for the peace of mind that it gives you.
~Angela (A Bag of Tricks)