On the eve of the Los Angeles International Auto Show, Chevrolet has announced that its Spark and Sonic models will feature Apple’s intelligent assistant from 2013, taking on some of the typical hands-free functions offered by the native systems on premium brand cars.

The aim of the system is to minimise distractions while driving, therefore much of Siri’s ‘intelligence’ falls outside the remit of Chevy’s integration. Users can direct Siri to perform a number of tasks while keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel, including:

  • Make voice-activated, hands-free calls to Contacts on their iPhone
  • Play songs in the iTunes library, and switch music sources automatically from AM/FM/XM radio to iPod mode
  • Listen to, and compose and send an iMessage or text message to a phone number or anyone in saved Contacts
  • Access Calendar and add appointments

While in Eyes Free mode, Siri will not provide answers to complex questions that require displaying a web page and the system has been programmed to stop the iPhone screen lighting up even when answering simple questions.

Owners simply connect their iPhone (4S and newer running iOS 6) with the MyLink radio via Bluetooth, pair with the system, and use the steering wheel voice activation button to begin and end sessions with Siri in Eyes Free mode.

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