PROTON’S FIRST CONNECTED CAR CAN BE BOOKED ON WEBSITE
PROTON is taking its technology-laden first SUV further into the future by enabling an online booking function on its website. Customers kenn to place a booking for the Proton X70 will be able to book and pay a deposit for their order online from Oct 17, skipping the usual physical visit to a Proton 3S or 4S outlet.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for Malaysians to book a Proton X70 so we think this is a step in that direction. To promote our new channel, we will run a promotion for three days from the date the function goes live, where those who place a booking for the Proton X70 will also receive special gifts,” said Abdul Rashid Musa, chief executive officer (CEO) of Proton Edar.
Just a month after revealing the X70 car to the media with a static preview, Proton conducted a second preview this week to showcase the SUV’s Integrated Cockpit Information System (GKUI).
This time, the presentation focused on voice commands, the preloaded apps and mobile connectivity available in the X70.
Present at the event was Proton CEO Dr Li Chunrong, deputy CEO Proton Datuk Radzaif Mohamed as well as senior Proton management members.
Equipped with an embedded eSIM card, the X70 system comes with five apps installed, offering services such as online radio, online music, navigation, weather forecasts and voice recognition.
The apps and other car functions are controlled via an 8-inch Android based touchscreen interface featuring a 1280 x 720 full colour display and 16GB of internal memory space. The system also has Wi-Fi connectivity so the X70 can be used as a mobile hotspot.
With the X70, the car maker is also introducing an app called Proton Link, which enable owners to pair the X70 with their mobile phone or other personal mobile device.
Each car buyer is given an individual ID which enables them to create a profile of their driving, thanks to the onboard telematics that will record data such as distance travelled, fuel economy, journey times and even keep track of service intervals.
Also included is the option to ‘find my car’ function which Proton says will be useful when parking in large and unfamiliar parking complexes.
“The GKUI system in the Proton X70 allows owners to stay almost constantly connected to their car. It’s an active two-way system that allows for multiple options to fit the preferences of individual owners. In future, the ability to download additional apps will also be offered and just like mobile devices, it means no two cars will be exactly alike,” said Abdul Rashid.
One of the major new technologies being introduced with this new model is the voice control feature as seen featured in a widely shared video of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad testing the SUV.
The feature is activated by a voice command “Hi Proton”, followed by commands for various controls in the car which includes operating of the windows, air-conditioning system and even accessing the navigation app to look for places to eat nearby.
Proton said true hands-free operation for a number of functions on the Proton X70 was now possible thanks to the advanced voice recognition software.
“The Proton X70 is the first Proton model to use voice recognition technology, which is something we think our owners will appreciate. Hundreds of voice samples were recorded for each phrase to ensure the system would have a high degree of accuracy even when you take dialects into account. For ease of use, the GKUI will also type out each spoken phrase on the screen to confirm each command.
“Currently, the GKUI offers voice recognition for English phrases only as there are software limitations but we have ensured the phrases it recognises are easy to use even for owners who are not fluent speakers of the language,” he added.
Running on an Android operating system, the system also offers Android mobile device users full mirroring capabilities. Apps on mobile devices can be accessed on the Proton X70’s touchscreen. However, Apple OS user won’t be able to do the same although they will be able to connect to the X70 via Bluetooth to access telephone and contact list functions.