Sat navs and different navigation apps are important components of our lives. Their voices accompany us on our every day journeys and are a part of our routines, so it’s necessary that they’re nice on the ear.
Over time, the customisation of sat nav voices has change into in style, permitting customers to select from numerous choices, from celebrities to skilled voice actors. However what makes the right sat nav voice?
Numerous scientific research have instructed that deeper voices are extra reliable on first impressions for each genders. As well as, much less monotone ones are seen as extra participating. This is called having a better variance.
With this in thoughts, Uswitch analysed the default UK voices of the three commonest apps, Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze, to see that are the perfect. Uswitch has additionally analysed over 100 celebrities to see that are the perfect and worst as your navigator.
Which navigation apps have the perfect voices?
| Rank | App | Depth (Hz) |
| 1 | Apple Maps | 92 |
| 2 | Google Maps | 152 |
| 3 | Waze (Kate) | 167 |
Depth, measured in Hertz (Hz), refers back to the pitch or frequency of the voice. A decrease worth means a deeper voice, which is extra calming and authoritative.
1. Apple Maps – 92 Hz
Apple Maps, with a depth of 92 Hz, has the deepest voice among the many three. This decrease pitch may be perceived as extra soothing or authoritative, probably giving drivers a way of calm and reliability. It’s value noting that the default voice for Apple is male, whereas Google and Waze are feminine.
2. Google Maps – 152 Hz
Google Maps has a medium-level depth of 152 Hz. Google would possibly provide probably the most balanced choice in the event you choose a feminine voice to a male one. It’s not as deep because the male voice of Apple however deeper than the default Waze voice.
3. Waze – 92 Hz
Waze permits customers to choose from a variety of voices, however the default one within the UK has the highest-pitched voice at 167 Hz. Because of this it’s probably extra vigorous or energetic. Whereas some might choose this, it additionally has the potential to be distracting.
| Rank | App | Variance |
| 1 | Google Maps | 25.92 |
| 2 | Apple Maps | 13.39 |
| 3 | Waze (Kate) | 12.31 |
Variance measures the dynamic vary of the voice. A excessive variance is expressive and interesting, however a low one is monotone. A voice with greater variance is extra prone to preserve you engaged, which is essential when driving.
1. Google Maps – 25.92
Google Maps leads in variance with 25.92, suggesting a extremely expressive and dynamic voice. This variance signifies that the Google Maps voice considerably modifications its pitch, which might make for a extra participating drive.
2. Apple Maps – 13.39
Apple Maps has a reasonable variance of 13.39, balancing monotony and expressiveness. This variance stage implies that Apple Maps’ voice has some pitch variation, making it participating with out being distractingly so.
3. Waze – 12.31
Waze, with a variance of 12.31, reveals the slightest pitch variation. This decrease variance signifies a extra constant pitch, which is secure and simple however might trigger you to lose consideration.
Which celebrities have the perfect sat nav voices?
| Rank | Title | Depth (Hz) | Variance | General rating /10 |
| 1 | Morgan Freeman | 67 | 28.95 | 8.96 |
| 2 | Stephen Fry | 62 | 24.62 | 8.69 |
| 3 | Liam Neeson | 58 | 21.81 | 8.39 |
| 4 | James Earl Jones | 57 | 19.79 | 8.33 |
| 5 | Bryan Cranston | 61 | 22.04 | 8.32 |
| 6 | Colin Firth | 72 | 25.43 | 8.24 |
| 7 | Vin Diesel | 58 | 17.33 | 7.66 |
| 8 | Al Pacino | 80 | 26.04 | 7.44 |
| 9 | David Attenborough | 91 | 34.81 | 7.29 |
| 10 | Morrissey | 73 | 19.41 | 7.23 |
1. Morgan Freeman – 8.96 out of 10
Depth: 67 Hz
Variance: 28.95
On the high of the listing is Morgan Freeman, famend for his deep, calm, and authoritative voice, with a depth of 67 Hz and a variance of 28.95. Freeman’s voice is commonly related to knowledge and luxury, making him a well-liked selection for narration and, apparently, the popular voice for guiding drivers.
2. Stephen Fry – 8.66 out of 10
Depth: 62 Hz
Variance: 24.62
Stephen Fry follows intently, with a barely decrease pitch at 62 Hz however a decrease variance of 24.62. Fry’s iconic British accent and eloquent and articulate speech make for a definite and interesting navigation expertise.
3. Liam Neeson – 8.39 out of 10
Depth: 58 Hz
Variance: 21.81
Liam Neeson ranks third with a voice depth of 58 Hz and a variance of 21.81. Neeson’s voice, recognized for its gravitas and depth, provides an enticing and reassuring presence to any journey.
Which feminine celebrities have the perfect sat nav voices?
| Rank | Title | Depth (Hz) | Variance | General rating /10 |
| 1 | Cate Blanchett | 92 | 27.42 | 6.62 |
| 2 | Theresa Might | 113 | 36.20 | 6.56 |
| 3 | Oprah Winfrey | 97 | 28.83 | 6.53 |
| 4 | Helen Mirren | 127 | 37.30 | 5.92 |
| 5 | Meryl Streep | 122 | 30.86 | 5.77 |
| 6 | Nigella Lawson | 129 | 33.90 | 5.74 |
| 7 | Hillary Clinton | 119 | 28.66 | 5.73 |
| 8 | Jennifer Aniston | 129 | 32.21 | 5.64 |
| 9 | Carey Mulligan | 119 | 27.20 | 5.55 |
| 10 | Angelina Jolie | 128 | 30.27 | 5.52 |
1. Cate Blanchett – 6.62 out of 10
Depth: 92 Hz
Variance: 27.42
With depth being one of many two elements analysed, every top-ranked voice was male, so we’ve additionally regarded on the high feminine celebs. On the high of the listing, Cate Blanchett leads with a voice depth of 92 Hz and a variance of 27.42. Blanchett’s voice, recognized for its wealthy, resonant high quality, evidently stands out for its distinctive tone and flexibility.
2. Theresa Might – 6.56 out of 10
Depth: 113 Hz
Variance: 36.20
Theresa Might ranks second with a better pitch of 113 Hz and a variance of 36.20. As a politician, Might’s voice must command consideration, demonstrating the influence of readability and authority in sat nav voices.
3. Oprah Winfrey – 6.53 out of 10
Depth: 97 Hz
Variance: 28.83
Oprah Winfrey is intently behind in third place, with a pitch of 97 Hz and a variance of 28.83. Winfrey’s voice is understood for its heat, empathy, and persuasive energy, making her a beloved determine within the media.
Leoni Moninska, automobile insurance coverage skilled at Uswitch, discusses the risks of distractions akin to sat navs when driving: “Driving distractions can considerably improve the chance of accidents and accidents on the highway. Navigation instruments, together with satellite tv for pc navigation methods (sat navs), have reworked how we journey, providing real-time instructions and site visitors updates that may make journeys extra environment friendly. Nevertheless, it’s essential to make sure that these instruments will not be an extra supply of distraction for drivers.
The hazards of distractions whereas driving
“Driving distractions take many varieties, from cell phone use to adjusting the radio or consuming. These distractions can divert a driver’s consideration away from the highway, decreasing their response time and talent to make knowledgeable selections rapidly. A number of seconds of distraction might be the distinction between security and catastrophe when driving. calling. Utilizing any navigation instrument should make driving safer and no more harmful.
“Utilizing navigation instruments can be distracting if not used responsibly. Continually taking a look at a sat nav display or fidgeting with its settings whereas shifting might be simply as hazardous as texting or calling. Utilizing any navigation instrument should make driving safer and no more harmful.
Utilizing sat navs safely
“To make sure that the usage of sat navs and different navigation aids doesn’t change into a distraction, contemplate the next ideas:
- Preparation is vital: Enter your vacation spot and evaluation your route earlier than setting off. Familiarise your self with main turns or exits prematurely to keep away from last-minute lane modifications.
- Mount correctly: Guarantee your system is mounted in an simply seen place while not having to take your eyes off the highway for greater than a look. The system shouldn’t block your view of the highway and mirrors.
- Voice instructions over visuals: Use voice navigation options, permitting you to concentrate on the highway whereas receiving voice instructions.
- Minimise distractions: Attempt to preserve distractions within the automobile to a minimal. This implies setting your radio or playlist earlier than you permit, avoiding consuming or intense conversations, and asking passengers to allow you to focus.
- Don’t panic over missed instructions: Should you miss a flip or exit, don’t panic or make sudden, unsafe manoeuvres. Belief that your sat nav will reroute you or discover a protected place to tug over and reassess your route.
- Common breaks on lengthy journeys: Fatigue can exacerbate the consequences of distractions. Plan for frequent breaks to relaxation and refresh on lengthy journeys, ideally each two hours or so.
- Educate your self on options: Fashionable sat navs have numerous options to make driving safer, akin to site visitors updates, pace digital camera alerts, and lane steering. Familiarise your self with these options earlier than your journey to make use of them with out distraction.
“By following these tips, drivers can get pleasure from the advantages of navigation instruments with out compromising their consideration and security on the highway. Keep in mind, the first activity when behind the wheel is to drive safely. The rest ought to solely assist with this objective.”
Methodology
Uswitch’s analysis was primarily based on the next sources, which declare {that a} deeper voice is extra reliable and a much less monotone voice (greater variance) is extra participating:
To find out which sat nav methods have the perfect voice, Uswitch analysed the default UK voices used for the main navigation apps, Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze.
For every voice, Uswitch recorded round ten minutes value of navigation and ran the recordings via Vocular to see which had the bottom voices and probably the most variance.
The figures for celebrities had been additionally sourced from Vocular, with every being given a normalised rating out of ten for his or her depth and variance earlier than taking a median of those.
