Can "Echo Auto" that Alexa can use in the car replace the car navigation system? [Use]: Masahiro Yamaguchi's Smart Speaker Life (1/3 page)

　When using the in-vehicle Echo device "Echo Auto" in a car, there are some points to worry about. For example, what to do with the Internet line, and whether it will reconnect properly when the engine is turned off. There are also many people who are concerned about the fundamentals of whether this product can replace car navigation systems.

　This time, we will check the questions related to these Echo Auto in order, as a utilization version. For the basic features of the product and how to set it up, please refer to the previous Basics. The setup is performed using an iPhone, and some item names may differ on Android smartphones.

How do I connect to the Internet?

　Let's start with the Internet connection. If you bring an existing Echo device such as "Echo Dot" into the car and try to use it, you have to connect to the Internet using a mobile Wi-Fi router or tethering on your smartphone, and the engine goes into hibernation. The connection was canceled every time it happened, so the usability was not good to say the least.

　This product works with a smartphone via Bluetooth and communicates with the Internet. There is no change in the fact that the connection is canceled when the engine is stopped, but it seems that it is tuned for in-vehicle use so that Bluetooth is re-established with top priority, so it does not reconnect easily even though I am trying to use it. There is almost no stress as far as I tried.

　However, it is obvious that the amount of communication will jump when streaming music via smartphone, and I thought that there was some kind of epoch-making countermeasure, but I was surprised that there was nothing in particular. . People with severe communication plans should check how much communication traffic will occur at the beginning of use.

　By the way, needless to say, if the communication with the smartphone is interrupted, the function of this product will not be available. Specifically, operations such as turning off Bluetooth, turning on airplane mode, and turning off the smartphone itself are prohibited. Also, since it works with a specific smartphone, if you forget to bring your smartphone, you will not be able to use any functions, and it will be difficult to share this product among family members.

Will Alexa be able to hear your voice even in the car?

　The only thing that bothers me about this product is the sensitivity of the microphone. Speaking of the inside of the car while driving, it is overwhelmingly noisy compared to the indoor environment, such as the sound of the air conditioner and road noise. If your voice commands aren't heard properly, they can be flagged as unusable.

　As far as I've actually tried it, it's pretty affected by the soundproofing of the car. Perhaps because it was a mini car that I tried this time, the wake word itself does not get through easily with the usual voice volume, especially when the speed is high and the road noise is large, I raise my voice quite a bit. I had to.

　Under these circumstances, operating Echo Auto is limited to stopping at traffic lights, etc., and the advantage of being able to operate hands-free while driving is diminished. A car with high soundproofing performance should probably not have such a problem, and it is better to be careful that there will be a considerable difference depending on the car model.

　On the other hand, as with the previous Echo series, hearing while playing music is pretty strong. Can you hear the music even if it's played at such a high volume? "It's amazing." However, because it shares the same speaker as the car navigation system, it is troublesome that the car navigation system suddenly interrupts and starts talking during the interaction with Alexa, and Alexa often stops recognizing the conversation.

　Next, let's check whether it can replace the car navigation system.

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