Meet the Tata Nexon with MG Hector-like voice command functionality

The Tata Nexon was one of the best options in the sub-4 meter SUV category but with the launch of a few rivals that offer better features along, sales of this chic SUV have been going down. The Hyundai Venue, in particular, is one SUV in the sub-4 meter game that has taken the podium as the bestseller in a fairly short time, dethroning the long-reigning king Vitara Brezza. Among the various features it comes with, the Venue comes with an AI technology called BlueLink by Hyundai. It controls various features and aspects of the Venue and can be instructed by using voice commands. The recently launched MG Hector is another such vehicle that offers voice command control.

The Nexon, on the other hand, makes do with a simple touch infotainment screen. However, the one featured here is unique in that aspect as it gets voice control features. This white Nexon belongs to Praveen Thappily who has successfully converted his regular Nexon into a smart, voice recognition enabled vehicle. Take a look at the video below to see how the car can rolls down the windows via simple voice commands.

Amazing, isn’t it. Dr Praveen Thappily, who is the owner of this Nexon, has made this nifty upgrade himself. The man from kerala developed a circuit using an Internet of Things (IoT) module. A similar but much more sophisticated and technically advanced system is used on AI-enabled cars like the MG Hector and the Hyundai Venue. For now, this Nexon can roll up and down its windows after commanded to do so via voice commands. Praveen connected two relays to the IoT module for up and down movement of the window.

He then developed a web server so that the system can be accessed remotely using the internet. The voice commands are detected by google assistant and then sent to the webserver which enables the server to switch on /off relays according to voice commands. As seen in the video above, the Google assistant on Praveen’s phone can now recognise the command to rolls the windows up and down. Upon being instructed to do so, it sends a signal to the webserver which in turn relays the same to the IoT module on the car and the windows are rolled up/down as per the instruction.

That’s quite an innovative DIY and illustrates in a simple way how the AI technology in MG Hector and Hyundai Venue works. On the MG Hector, voice commands can be used for sunroof operation, Headlamps, navigation, and play music among others by saying the “Hello MG” command. The upcoming Kia Seltos will also come with UVO smart connect and similar internet-based voice recognition features will become quite common on regular cars in the coming time.