Navigation voice inputs

phytonic · 01-23-2022, 10:30 AM

Hello all. I have a 2020 X3. One thing I have always enjoyed is that it lets you hit the steering wheel voice button and say (example) "NAVIGATE TO 123 Main St, McLean Virginia" and it would quickly, with no fuss, just do it.

NOW, over the last few weeks, if I say "NAVIGATE TO 123 Main St, McLean VA" it starts with VA, then makes me speak or enter a City, then a Street, then House/Building info. Sometimes, depending on where I am going (all in VA by the way), it will want to take me to Canada!

Calling BMW Genius leaves you with 48 people in front of you in line.

Is there something I can do to fix? All the traffic info works, everything seems fine, except for entering addresses.

Thanks.

Victolicious · 01-23-2022, 12:13 PM

Do you get a little crossed out globe appearing on the right side of the main screen when its listening for input? If so, you might have issues with connection to online services, which include enhanced speech recognition.

When my BMW ConnectedDrive services expired, voice recognition got materially worse, and the "enter address" screen kept popping up. Waiting a few seconds would actually sometimes fill in the rest of the address, or sometimes just stay on that screen waiting for manual input of the rest.

Navypilot · 01-23-2022, 02:32 PM

I thought you had to say “drive too”

joft6 · 01-23-2022, 02:35 PM

On iDrive 6, I say "points of interest," wait, then the name of the place I want to go to, I think points of interest only works with names of places and not specific addresses.

On iDrive 7 I just say "take me to" and say either a specific address or the name of a place

phytonic · 01-23-2022, 03:13 PM

Mine always worked with "Navigate to". Something has changed, but no subscriptions have expired and the microphone seems to work fine. It just doesn't take full spoken addresses anymore.

phytonic · 01-23-2022, 03:15 PM

I've always been confused about what iDrive I have. 6 or 7? It's a 2020 with 10/19 build date in South Caroline. Has Navigation. I have the "regular" gauges, not the all digital gauges.

335dFan · 01-23-2022, 11:52 PM

Interesting. My 2021 X3 has started to act strange lately on voice-activated navigation too. I'm not sure when it started. But last week I gave it the wake-up word (or pushed the talk button) and said "drive me to 5601 J Street", and no matter how well I enunciated, it could not get it right. It has in the recent past. If I type it in it works OK.

With me speaking the address, it offers up a lot of addresses but none of them are right.

Tchgrif · 01-24-2022, 06:42 AM

when i touch the voice icon on the steering wheel and the prompt comes up i just say the address, 123 main street Mcclean Virginia. and it just goes there I don't need to say navigation or drive too just the address.

rob175 · 01-24-2022, 08:53 AM

I find that IF i say (for example) "One-twenty two Main St" sometimes the system doesn't work....BUT....If I say the numbers individually, like: "One-Two-Two Main St." it works 100% of the time....just saying.

NoMoreVauxhalls · 01-24-2022, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phytonic

I've always been confused about what iDrive I have. 6 or 7? It's a 2020 with 10/19 build date in South Caroline. Has Navigation. I have the "regular" gauges, not the all digital gauges.

October 2020 build X3 will be on iDrive 7.

Navypilot · 01-24-2022, 01:04 PM

Yup on saying the number one, two, two. I also found that out by trying both ways.

JJ 911SC · 01-24-2022, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phytonic

I've always been confused about what iDrive I have. 6 or 7? It's a 2020 with 10/19 build date in South Caroline. Has Navigation. I have the "regular" gauges, not the all digital gauges.

Just go to the X3, access the iDrive Owners Guide and search on Imprint. Like NoMoreVauxhalls mentioned you will have iDrive 7 "light" probably with the original as build software version 07/19 if so you could use an up-date. T

hat is what I had on my 2020.

phytonic · 01-24-2022, 06:14 PM

That is what is happening with me. It's only voice commands that are problematic now for the first time in 2 years. The microphone works, it is active, it has just decided to not "understand" me anymore.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335dFan

Interesting. My 2021 X3 has started to act strange lately on voice-activated navigation too. I'm not sure when it started. But last week I gave it the wake-up word (or pushed the talk button) and said "drive me to 5601 J Street", and no matter how well I enunciated, it could not get it right. It has in the recent past. If I type it in it works OK.

With me speaking the address, it offers up a lot of addresses but none of them are right.

brettl · 01-24-2022, 06:51 PM

When you ask for a point of interest or address, I believe the car is sending that request to an outside server via the cellular connection for processing. I believe this is where the failure point is happening. It sounds like this problem is effecting idrive 6, 7lite and 7 (lci). 6 and 7 lite cannot be update without going to dealer and mine has not been update anytime recently, though this problem seems to be recent.
Not an in car issue.

phytonic · 02-04-2022, 06:28 PM

Update. I can get the voice commands to work to enter an address correctly, but I have to press the voice command button on steering wheel, then say ENTER DESTINATION, then enter the address when it asks me to.

So I used to press the button and say "NAVIGATE TO 100 Main St, Rockville Maryland." Now I have to say "ENTER DESTINATION", wait for it to ask for the address, then say "100 Main St, Rockville Maryland."

It's a work around, but at least I don't have to enter an address using iDrive wheel. Sad that a 2 year old "premium" vehicle no longer works the way it should, but I guess it's a first world problem, as they say.

miro9 · 02-05-2022, 02:59 AM

With my accent, I gave up on anything voice activated a while ago...

TheSlash · 05-11-2022, 12:48 PM

I noticed problem with voice commands getting worse six months ago but it came to the point that voice commands for navigation became useless. It looks like there are problems on the server side for some BMW models and years and here in Canada they opened the ticket, and asked me to reboot iDrive in a week because of some work on the server side that effects apparently only some models. However, you must have a ticket opened for problems to go away. It’s. It looks like it’s manual fix for specific cars and not mass update.

TheSlash · 05-19-2022, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSlash

I noticed problem with voice commands getting worse six months ago but it came to the point that voice commands for navigation became useless. It looks like there are problems on the server side for some BMW models and years and here in Canada they opened the ticket, and asked me to reboot iDrive in a week because of some work on the server side that effects apparently only some models. However, you must have a ticket opened for problems to go away. It’s. It looks like it’s manual fix for specific cars and not mass update.

UPDATE:

It was fixed by BMW Canada. Ticket was opened, and the issue resolved by their IT department. In the mean time while waiting, I called Genius department at my dealer and they confirmed that this feature should be available for the life of the car. However, still not clear what kind of connection package should be active because voice processing is happening on the server side. My car came with 10 years BMW Assist and connected services ( I think Essential service ) and I have professional Navigation package. So, once when 10 years is over, I will see what options are available to continue. Car came with the HUD, and with responsive navigation system it works outstanding. Without correct voice processing in the background the whole system becomes frustrating. It goes from outstanding to terrible and useless. I am happy that everything is back to normal now.

br438 · 05-19-2022, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phytonic

That is what is happening with me. It's only voice commands that are problematic now for the first time in 2 years. The microphone works, it is active, it has just decided to not "understand" me anymore.

I think all of the VR coders "break" the code from time to time to help the AI learn. This same thing has happened over the years with Siri, Alexa, and ... it's brilliant, but a PITA for users, and... a bit ridiculous feeling if you happen to look around and see tin foil.

rob175 · 05-19-2022, 08:43 AM

For what it's worth I DON'T begin by saying things like "navigate to" or "drive to"......instead I just begin with the full address like: "one-three-four-main street-smalltown-indiana" and it works every time (but obviously not when the server is down)

satz · 09-27-2022, 07:54 PM

on ID6, how do you use voice commands to navigate to a POI, eg nearest KFC or nearest petrol station?

I've tried "Navigate to nearest petrol station" but that's not accepted.

sgyX3 · 09-27-2022, 08:45 PM

2020 M40i. I thought it was me or my car was acting like my wife and ignoring me. For the last 3 months the voice recognition has been terrible. I set up a custom wake word and I hav etc say it 3 or more times for it to work. Good but not good to hear I am not the only one. I'm in the NE USA.

01-23-2022, 10:30 AM	#1
phytonic Enlisted Member 20 Rep 43 Posts Drives: BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	Navigation voice inputs - new problem Hello all. I have a 2020 X3. One thing I have always enjoyed is that it lets you hit the steering wheel voice button and say (example) "NAVIGATE TO 123 Main St, McLean Virginia" and it would quickly, with no fuss, just do it. NOW, over the last few weeks, if I say "NAVIGATE TO 123 Main St, McLean VA" it starts with VA, then makes me speak or enter a City, then a Street, then House/Building info. Sometimes, depending on where I am going (all in VA by the way), it will want to take me to Canada! Calling BMW Genius leaves you with 48 people in front of you in line. Is there something I can do to fix? All the traffic info works, everything seems fine, except for entering addresses. Thanks.
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01-23-2022, 12:13 PM	#2
Victolicious Registered 2 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Do you get a little crossed out globe appearing on the right side of the main screen when its listening for input? If so, you might have issues with connection to online services, which include enhanced speech recognition. When my BMW ConnectedDrive services expired, voice recognition got materially worse, and the "enter address" screen kept popping up. Waiting a few seconds would actually sometimes fill in the rest of the address, or sometimes just stay on that screen waiting for manual input of the rest.
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01-23-2022, 02:32 PM	#3
Navypilot First Lieutenant 289 Rep 358 Posts Drives: BMW X3M40i Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Cary, NC iTrader: (0)	I thought you had to say “drive too”
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01-23-2022, 02:35 PM	#4
joft6 Private First Class 146 Rep 140 Posts Drives: G01M40, F82COMP Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW M4 [10.00] 2021 BMW X3M40i [10.00]	On iDrive 6, I say "points of interest," wait, then the name of the place I want to go to, I think points of interest only works with names of places and not specific addresses. On iDrive 7 I just say "take me to" and say either a specific address or the name of a place
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01-23-2022, 03:13 PM	#5
phytonic Enlisted Member 20 Rep 43 Posts Drives: BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	Mine always worked with "Navigate to". Something has changed, but no subscriptions have expired and the microphone seems to work fine. It just doesn't take full spoken addresses anymore.
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01-23-2022, 03:15 PM	#6
phytonic Enlisted Member 20 Rep 43 Posts Drives: BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	I've always been confused about what iDrive I have. 6 or 7? It's a 2020 with 10/19 build date in South Caroline. Has Navigation. I have the "regular" gauges, not the all digital gauges.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-23-2022, 11:52 PM	#7
335dFan Jumping Jack Flash 324 Rep 1,692 Posts Drives: 2021 X3 M40i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: California (east of Sacramento) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW X3 M40i [0.00] 2017 Toyota Prius [0.00]	Interesting. My 2021 X3 has started to act strange lately on voice-activated navigation too. I'm not sure when it started. But last week I gave it the wake-up word (or pushed the talk button) and said "drive me to 5601 J Street", and no matter how well I enunciated, it could not get it right. It has in the recent past. If I type it in it works OK. With me speaking the address, it offers up a lot of addresses but none of them are right. __________________ 2021 X3 M40i: M Sport Differential, Adaptive M Suspension. Previous BMWs: 1971 BMW 2002, 1973 BMW R75/5, and 2011 BMW 335d Previous Other Vehicles: '67 Cougar, '70 911e, '86 Jetta Diesel, '05 and '12 Foresters, et al.
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01-24-2022, 06:42 AM	#8
Tchgrif Lieutenant 268 Rep 460 Posts Drives: X4 M40i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: pgh pa, USA iTrader: (0)	when i touch the voice icon on the steering wheel and the prompt comes up i just say the address, 123 main street Mcclean Virginia. and it just goes there I don't need to say navigation or drive too just the address.
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01-24-2022, 08:53 AM	#9
rob175 Major 694 Rep 1,121 Posts Drives: BMW X3 xiDrive30 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	I find that IF i say (for example) "One-twenty two Main St" sometimes the system doesn't work....BUT....If I say the numbers individually, like: "One-Two-Two Main St." it works 100% of the time....just saying.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-24-2022, 01:04 PM	#11
Navypilot First Lieutenant 289 Rep 358 Posts Drives: BMW X3M40i Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Cary, NC iTrader: (0)	Yup on saying the number one, two, two. I also found that out by trying both ways.
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01-24-2022, 06:51 PM	#14
brettl Captain 395 Rep 661 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 30i Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	When you ask for a point of interest or address, I believe the car is sending that request to an outside server via the cellular connection for processing. I believe this is where the failure point is happening. It sounds like this problem is effecting idrive 6, 7lite and 7 (lci). 6 and 7 lite cannot be update without going to dealer and mine has not been update anytime recently, though this problem seems to be recent. Not an in car issue.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-04-2022, 06:28 PM	#15
phytonic Enlisted Member 20 Rep 43 Posts Drives: BMW X3 xDrive30i Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: East Coast iTrader: (0)	Update. I can get the voice commands to work to enter an address correctly, but I have to press the voice command button on steering wheel, then say ENTER DESTINATION, then enter the address when it asks me to. So I used to press the button and say "NAVIGATE TO 100 Main St, Rockville Maryland." Now I have to say "ENTER DESTINATION", wait for it to ask for the address, then say "100 Main St, Rockville Maryland." It's a work around, but at least I don't have to enter an address using iDrive wheel. Sad that a 2 year old "premium" vehicle no longer works the way it should, but I guess it's a first world problem, as they say.
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02-05-2022, 02:59 AM	#16
miro9 Private 182 Rep 79 Posts Drives: 2022 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Wiesbaden, Germany iTrader: (0)	With my accent, I gave up on anything voice activated a while ago...
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05-11-2022, 12:48 PM	#17
TheSlash Registered 2 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 2017 BMW X3 xdrive28i Join Date: May 2022 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	I noticed problem with voice commands getting worse six months ago but it came to the point that voice commands for navigation became useless. It looks like there are problems on the server side for some BMW models and years and here in Canada they opened the ticket, and asked me to reboot iDrive in a week because of some work on the server side that effects apparently only some models. However, you must have a ticket opened for problems to go away. It’s. It looks like it’s manual fix for specific cars and not mass update.
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05-19-2022, 08:43 AM	#20
rob175 Major 694 Rep 1,121 Posts Drives: BMW X3 xiDrive30 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	For what it's worth I DON'T begin by saying things like "navigate to" or "drive to"......instead I just begin with the full address like: "one-three-four-main street-smalltown-indiana" and it works every time (but obviously not when the server is down)
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09-27-2022, 07:54 PM	#21
satz Lieutenant Colonel 338 Rep 1,645 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: A land down under iTrader: (0)	on ID6, how do you use voice commands to navigate to a POI, eg nearest KFC or nearest petrol station? I've tried "Navigate to nearest petrol station" but that's not accepted. __________________ 2019 X3 M40i, Sophisto grey, H/K, pano Previous: 2019 BMW X2 Msport, Mineral Grey, Adaptive Suspension, H/K Previous: 2009 335i LCI, Bluewater
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09-27-2022, 08:45 PM	#22
sgyX3 Private First Class 106 Rep 124 Posts Drives: BMW X3, BMW 320xi Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: Long Island, New York iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 320xi [0.00] 2023 BMW x1 [10.00] 2020 BMW x3M40i [0.00]	2020 M40i. I thought it was me or my car was acting like my wife and ignoring me. For the last 3 months the voice recognition has been terrible. I set up a custom wake word and I hav etc say it 3 or more times for it to work. Good but not good to hear I am not the only one. I'm in the NE USA.
	Appreciate 0 Quote