Voice-Activated Phone System for Cars on Tap

Wireless technology giant Motorola Inc. this week introduced a new hands-free phone system for cars that will allow drivers to make calls from their regular cell phones using voice commands.

Motorola’s product uses wireless Bluetooth technology. The system is incorporated into a car kit that includes a speaker, microphone and control panel and is installed in the dashboard.

The Chicago-area company said consumers will be able to activate the phone system by just starting the car.

The activated system automatically will connect to the cell phone, making hands-free calls possible.

The hands-free car kit system, which is expected to be available in the second quarter, offers 100 voice activation numbers and is compatible with phones that don’t support voice recognition.

Motorola said it also will introduce a headset incorporating the Bluetooth technology. The headset is expected to be available in the first quarter with a suggested retail price of $199.