The Garmin DriveSmart 86 integrates with Amazon Alexa to provide voice-activated assistance that enhances driving convenience and safety. This integration works by connecting the Garmin DriveSmart device with the Garmin Drive app on a compatible smartphone, enabling Amazon Alexa features through the app. To activate Alexa capabilities, the user must sign into their Amazon account via the Garmin Drive app. This setup allows the Garmin device to utilize the cloud-based natural language processing of Alexa for interpreting spoken commands and questions.
The process begins with the Garmin Drive app running and open on the linked smartphone, which serves as the conduit for Alexa services. The app relays communication between the Garmin DriveSmart device and Alexa's servers. The device itself uses natural language processing, allowing the driver to speak in complete sentences and phrases naturally, without the need for rigid command structures. This makes it user-friendly and intuitive for engaging with Alexa while driving.
The Alexa integration is designed to assist hands-free interaction, allowing drivers to keep their attention on the road. Alexa can perform a variety of functions including playing playback, audiobooks, podcasts, giving weather updates, hearing the news, controlling smart home devices, setting reminders, managing timers, and answering questions. This voice control offers a safer, distraction-minimized experience on the road.
From a navigation standpoint, the Garmin DriveSmart uses its own Garmin voice-activated navigation system, which is accessed by saying "OK, Garmin" followed by navigation-specific commands, such as asking for directions or initiating routes. In contrast, Amazon Alexa handles all other functions outside of navigation. Users switch between saying "OK, Garmin" for driving directions and just "Alexa" for everything else. This dual activation approach helps separate navigation commands from general Alexa commands, streamlining the user experience.
Audio output is managed through the car's audio system by connecting via Bluetooth or auxiliary cables from the Garmin DriveSmart device. Alexa responses and playback playbacks come through the vehicle's speakers, ensuring clear output while driving. The setup involves configuring audio settings during initial pairing and setup of the Garmin Drive app and device, including permissions on the smartphone for contacts, call management, caller ID, and notifications to enable a full range of hands-free functionalities like phone calls and smart notifications.
The Alexa features available on the Garmin DriveSmart device require linking multiple streaming playback accounts via the Alexa app, and the use of Alexa skills can be customized by managing these via the Amazon Alexa app where users can enable thousands of additional skills from the Alexa Skills Store. However, not all Alexa skills may be compatible with the Garmin DriveSmart, as skill compatibility is ultimately determined by the Amazon developers and the skill creators.
The integration enhances safety by removing the need for drivers to handle smartphones or other devices for common tasks, enabling control solely by voice commands. This is intended to help users maintain focus on driving while accessing a broad array of digital assistant features. The Alexa integration also supports smart home commands, allowing users to control compatible devices remotely even while on the road.
While the Alexa integration is robust, it requires the Garmin Drive app to remain running on the smartphone and an active internet connection for full functionality. This means Alexa features depend on the smartphone's connectivity to the web. Furthermore, Alexa commands cannot be used if the app is closed or the phone is disconnected.
In terms of practical use, the user starts by saying "Alexa," then issues a command or query as they would with any other Alexa-enabled device. For navigation commands, "OK Garmin" is the wake phrase. This clear distinction helps the device process commands appropriately and provide accurate responses or execute commands.
The device supports hands-free phone calls through Bluetooth integration with the smartphone, with Alexa assisting in managing calls and contacts. Alexa can also handle calendar management, reminders, and other productivity tasks, extending the capabilities beyond navigation to a comprehensive digital assistant role tailored for the driving environment.
In summary, Garmin DriveSmart 86's Amazon Alexa integration works by linking the device with the Garmin Drive app on a smartphone, requiring Amazon account sign-in. It employs natural language processing to provide hands-free voice interactions for a wide range of functions including media playback, smart home control, information queries, weather updates, and more, while navigation commands are handled by Garmin's own voice activation system. This integration leverages the Alexa ecosystem to augment the driving experience with convenience and safety features, all accessible by voice without diverting attention from the road.