Of
Felix Reek
“Haaatschi!” “I didn’t understand you,” replies the voice control of the new Opel Astra. Once again: “Haaatschi!” “I did not understand you.” Which of course is because the driver didn’t speak but sneezed. Welcome to the brave new automotive world of countless technical gadgets that sometimes work more or less well. In the case of the Astra’s voice control: rather less. When the car is started, the software loads for so long that the driver has to wait a minute or two in advance to announce the navigation destination (“The language software is currently not available.”). Another time, the system reacts to the children’s radio play and asks for a princess. At least entertainment is provided.