New Toyota minivan lets parents use built-in microphone to scream at unruly kids in back seats

ap ^ | Jul 18, 2014 | Tom Krisher,

[BenLurkin]

The latest version of the company’s Sienna minivan has a feature called “Driver Easy Speak.” It uses a built-in microphone to amplify a parent’s voice through speakers in the back seats.

Toyota says it added Easy Speak “so parents don’t have to shout to passengers in the back.” But chances are many parents will yell into the microphone anyway.

And the feature only works one way, so the kids can’t talk back. At least not with amplified voices.

The feature is an option on the 2015 Sienna, which is being refreshed with a totally new interior. It also has an optional “pull-down conversation mirror” that lets drivers check on kids without turning around.

[Caipirabob]

It makes my head spin how fast they grew up. One moment they’re in an incubator, next he’s brown Brad Pitt ignoring the cougar that just threw herself at him at Fry’s...LOL!

[VanDeKoik]

My parents would just threaten to pull over.

No microphone needed.

[wetphoenix]

In fact what you posted is a popular aftermarket option in South Africa.

[Does so]

From South Africa, in response to criminals approaching their cars...

[Mears]

There was station in the Boston area (in the 60s-70s) that had dreadful Irish music.

I’d put it on really loud and open the car windows. The kids,especially the adolescents, would be humiliated when we stopped at a light.

Shut them right up-—and we’re Irish.

.

.

[Kickass Conservative]

I would have used the Lassie trick, as in “Jimmy is stuck in the Well”, right where we put him.

In my day, I love saying that, “the hand of fate” would appear from the front seat without warning.

[Kickass Conservative]

Make that TIMMY...

[Secret Agent Man]

toyota easy scream.

well most parents don’t do corporal punishment anymore, it’s all that’s left.

[Secret Agent Man]

south africa got that one right.

[Secret Agent Man]

start talking about training bras and boobies coming in. that’ll put em in a coma.

[Secret Agent Man]

stun guns are anywhere from 50,000 volts to a million volts, just very low current. few seconds could buy several minutes of nap time.

[Jack Hydrazine]

Mount one of these babies to the dash and wire it in with a pa switch to the speakers in the back and you are ready to do karaoke to the kids when they get out of line.

I'd start singing the Love Boat song (LOL!).

Love, exciting and new Come Aboard. We're expecting you. Love, life's sweetest reward. Let it flow, it floats back to you.

Love Boat soon will be making another run The Love Boat promises something for everyone Set a course for adventure, Your mind on a new romance.

Love won't hurt anymore It's an open smile on a friendly shore. It's LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE! Welcome aboard, it's LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE!

Theme song.

[Jack Hydrazine]

ROFLMAO!!!!

[Neidermeyer]

What the van needs is a noise cancellation system for any row behind the driver ,, same as we have in our headphones.

[Veto!]

, a quick spike of the brakes got everybody's attention.

Including the jerk following too closely behind.

[trebb]

Toyota says it added Easy Speak “so parents don’t have to shout to passengers in the back.” But chances are many parents will yell into the microphone anyway.

Oh no - misbehaving kids might be yelled at and have it sound loud to them. This has got to be stopped.....

[Caipirabob]

Sorry if my information is innacurate - I took my numbers based on how some of the products I've bought were defined:

Stun Guns advertised at millions of volts

But I am by no means any authority on it. I'd be willing to believe that the numbers are hyped or legally contrived and like you said, low current. If these numbers are accurate, and I'll be darned if I test any of them on myself (lol), maybe they are worth a look. Cheers...