On the tail end of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, we're left with one distinct impression: In-car technology is coming into its own as a selling point to would-be buyers. Kia, it seems, has been paying attention as well.

The Korean company has paired with Microsoft (full disclosure is probably unnecessary, but just in case: I obviously work for that company, as you're reading my post on a Microsoft-owned site right now) to create its own proprietary in-car infotainment system, called UVO -- short for "your voice."

The system, like other infotainment systems, aims to help drivers stay focused on the road while making mobile communication and in-car systems accessible through a voice-recognition system; drivers can issue short commands, such as "call home," to which the system will respond.

The UVO interface runs on Microsoft's Windows Embedded Auto software, and offers a built-in 1-gigabyte hard drive and a 4.3-inch color touch-screen display. The voice-recognition software can be programed for two different voices in several languages.

The first model to receive Kia's proprietary infotainment system will be the Sorento SUV (pictured) in the middle of this year, with other models to follow shortly thereafter.

(Source: Gizmag.)