The Tesla Model S voice command feature provides the power of Google voice recognition combined with the ubiquitous Google search and maps. It’s an often overlooked feature of the Model S (at least for me) that I’m starting to re-explore in my second year of ownership.
Why have I overlooked it? Well … for starters, I find myself intuitively touching the massive center screen and navigating directly to my Favorites whether it be a destination or a favorite slacker station. It’s not that I dislike voice commands. Rather, the visual dominance of the touchscreen wipes away all memory that the feature even exists.
But as I continue using it (for the purpose of this write up), I’m starting to really dig it. I can see how voice command could be a much quicker and safer alternative to typing.
Tesla Model S Voice Commands
Voice commands can be initiated by pressing and holding the voice button located towards the top right of the steering wheel. A tone will sound when the button is initially depressed. Release the button only after speaking the full command.
Navigation
- “Navigate to” – Example: “Navigate to Home” will take you to your pre-programmed home address. Similarly you can navigate to your [work] destination by speaking “Drive to work”.
- “Drive to” – Because Google is powering the search capabilities, you’re able to speak any destination whether it be an address or a point of interest by name. Example: “Drive to Disneyland”
- “Where is” – Example: “Where is the nearest Starbucks?” will return a list of Starbucks closest to your proximity.
Phone (Bluetooth) Dialing
- “Call” – Specify the name of the person or number you wish to call / dial.
- “Dial”
Audio
- “Play” – This command will initiate a search across the built-in Slacker Internet Radio. Search by artist name, name of song or both.
- “Listen to” – Example: “Listen to Bon Jovi Living on a Prayer”
Provide Tesla Motors Feedback
Initiating the following voice commands will send Tesla Motors a recording of your voice message. I can’t help but imagine how fun it must be to be on the receiving end of the voice messages.
- “Note”
- “Report”
- “Bug Report”
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