New interactive vehicle interiors on display at Detroit auto show

DETROIT, MIchigan - The 2012 North America Auto Show in Detroit is showing a wide variety of designs and improvements when it comes to interactive interiors on vehicles of every make and model.

This years focus was on "voice activated" features, that allows the drivers to use many of the functions on their "smart phones," without having take their hands off of the steering wheel.

Chrysler's Uconnect system has teamed up with GPS giant Garmin, and Sirius XM radio, to provide a series of voice activated features.

Uconnect also turns a vehicle into a mobile "hotspot" to allow full internet capabilities within a 150 foot radius, this means drivers can also enjoy an internet connection when the car is idle, outside their vehicles interior.

"It's going to be something that people will soon expect on newer cars, regardless of the price point," said Chevrolet Engineer John Buttermore.

Chevrolet is featuring its " MyLink" interactive system on several vehicles at the 2012 auto show in Detroit.

" MyLink can display pictures and video from your cell phone while your car is stopped," said Buttermore. "You can use plug-in application radio like Pandora or Stitcher, or Mp3's off your phone without ever having to plug it in."

"This system make the car like a huge docking station," said Chevrolet Design Engineer Nicholas David. "Place your phone down in it and it interacts with the car, so you can have access to text messages, or your Facebook or Twitter accounts by voice control."

Audi's "Connect" system provides instant news updates on multiple screens within the vehicle.  The system also gives passengers access to live Doppler radar, so they can make more accurate driving decision when heading into a storm.

Engineers for all models stressed the importance of improved voice activation for all interactive features.

"All features should be voice control only," said David. "It's critically important that you don't take you hands off of the steering wheel, so you don't have to take your eyes off the road."

The North American International Auto Show is open to the public from January 14, through January 22, from 9 AM to 10 PM at Detroit's Cobo Center.

Admission is $12 for adults, seniors and children $6.

The Auto show is coming to Cleveland, and again will be held at the  I-X Center, from February 25 through March 4th.