Electronic voice alert

{{Short description|Talking car system of the 1980s}}

Electronic voice alert (EVA) was an option available on many Chrysler K-car-based vehicles in the mid-1980s.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ia91vNwYgLIC&pg=RA2-PA98|title=Popular Science|last=Dunne|first=Jim|date=October 1982|publisher=Bonnier Corporation|pages=98|language=en}}

Chrysler and Dodge used technology of the Texas Instruments LPC Speech Chips, that were also used in the Speak & Spell toy. The EVA would automatically lower the radio volume and deliver eleven different spoken warning messages{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/11/28/sports/about-cars-chrysler-s-sports-sedan.html|title=About Cars; Chrysler's Sports Sedan|last=Schuon|first=Marshall|date=1982-11-28|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-03-11|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} to drivers using a speech synthesizer{{Cite web|url=https://hackaday.com/tag/speak-and-spell/|title=Speak and Spell|publisher=Hackaday|language=en|access-date=2019-03-11}} in 24 certain models.{{Cite web|url=http://kiosystems.me/2000-lincoln-town-car-wiring-diagram.html/1989-lincoln-town-car-fuse-box-diagram-wiring-diagrams-schematics-and-2000|title=1989 Lincoln Town Car Fuse Box Diagram Wiring Diagrams Schematics And 2000|website=kiosystems.me|access-date=2019-03-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401105219/http://kiosystems.me/2000-lincoln-town-car-wiring-diagram.html/1989-lincoln-town-car-fuse-box-diagram-wiring-diagrams-schematics-and-2000|archive-date=2019-04-01|url-status=dead}}

A similar system was used in 1984 to 1986 Nissan 300ZX, Nissan 200SX, and the Nissan Maxima GL and GLE models.{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/drivingfromjapan0000jame|url-access=registration|title=Driving from Japan: Japanese Cars in America|last=James|first=Wanda|date=2005-01-01|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9780786417346|pages=[https://archive.org/details/drivingfromjapan0000jame/page/93 93]|language=en}} The messages are played from a miniature phonograph record,{{Cite web|url=https://autoweek.com/article/wait-theres-more/when-cars-talked-using-tiny-phonograph-records-nissans-voice-warning-system|title=When cars talked using tiny phonograph records: Nissan's Voice Warning system|website=Autoweek|access-date=2019-03-10}} similar as used in speaking dolls.

The EVA was available on the Chrysler LeBaron{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xAMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA105|title=Kiplinger's Personal Finance|date=November 1982|publisher=Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc.|pages=105|language=en}} (and the optional Mark Cross Edition), Chrysler Town and Country Wagon, Chrysler Fifth Avenue, Chrysler New Yorker,{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GhJbAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA2-PA50|title=Princeton Alumni Weekly|date=1983|publisher=princeton alumni weekly|pages=50|language=en}} Chrysler Laser, Dodge Daytona,{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XARMtUUMxm8C&pg=PA20|title=Popular Science|last1=Dunne|first1=Jim|last2=Keebler|first2=Jack|date=March 1983|publisher=Bonnier Corporation|pages=20|language=en}} and Dodge 600 between 1983 and 1988.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1CmYBTlFPE8C&pg=PA23|title=Computerworld|last=Johnson|first=Bob|date=1983-02-21|publisher=IDG Enterprise|pages=23|language=en}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0xAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA156|title=Orange Coast Magazine|date=January 1983|publisher=Emmis Communications|pages=156|language=en}} Models sold in Canada accommodated both English and French. Models sold in Mexico spoke Spanish.{{Cite web|url=http://www.stanwatkins.com/eva/evaid.htm|title=Chrysler Electronic Voice Alert Identification|website=www.stanwatkins.com|access-date=2019-03-11}}{{Cite web|url=https://autoweek.com/article/diy/hacker-extracts-original-voice-sample-code-1980s-chrysler-electronic-voice-alert-system|title=This hacker got a Chrysler Electronic Voice Alert system to talk again|website=Autoweek|access-date=2019-03-11}}

Generally paired with a digital instrument cluster and considered the height of technology at the time, many drivers grew weary of the system constantly admonishing them to fasten their seatbelts and turned it off via removing a fuse,{{Cite web|url=https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/Articles/2018/11/26/chryslers-talking-k-car-was-oh-so-1980s|title=Chrysler's talking K-car was oh-so-1980s|last=Smith|first=Kyle|website=www.hagerty.com|access-date=2019-03-11}} which sometimes deactivates the fuel gauge.[https://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2011/10/03/17/30/pic-5263141233077099318-1600x1200.gif List of circuit breakers of the vehicle.] Later models had the option to be turned off via a switch in the glovebox.{{Cite web|url=https://www.autobild.de/klassik/artikel/klassiker-fuer-5000-euro-chrysler-new-yorker-3556903.html|title=Klassiker für 5000 Euro: Chrysler New Yorker|website=autobild.de|access-date=2019-03-11}}