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The Connected Car Platform from IMS uses simple voice commands to keep drivers in business as hands-free legislation sweeps across North America.

NEW YORK - Intelligent Mechatronic Systems (IMS) recently brought to market  Prompt, a voice activated dispatch solution to enable the for-hire vehicle industry, such as livery, black car and limousine services, to outfit drivers with a hands-free solution to communicate with the dispatch center, while complying with the recent New York City (NYC) Taxi and Limousine Commission legislation. The new legislation bans the use of handheld electronic devices while driving.

Following the iLane and DriveSync products, Prompt is another example of IMS delivering a Connected Car platform to the marketplace. IMS has partnered with Tecorien for a pilot initiative in New York to provide select livery, black car, and limousine operators and drivers with Prompt.

Prompt is a sleek, portable unit which plugs into a vehicle's cigarette lighter or any 12V outlet, enabling drivers to communicate with dispatch and conduct their business entirely hands-free via simple voice commands. Prompt allows drivers to securely sign in, sign off, receive job information, accept or decline jobs, provide ETA information, provide load/ unload confirmation, and on-scene reports, while keeping their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel.

New TLC regulations ban the use of distracting electronic devices by drivers, including hand-held mobile phones and in-ear Bluetooth devices. TLC licensed drivers in New York now face a "three-strikes-and-you're out" policy, with licenses being revoked for three violations within a 15-month period. However, Prompt allows drivers to perform critical dispatch functions while doing so legally.