Paragon Software Group has announced the release of PenReader 9.0 – a handwriting recognition technology that allows users to write with a finger directly on handwriting-sensitive touchscreens in any of 42 supported languages. 

The tool is targeted towards automakers and can be incorporated directly into in-vehicle infotainment systems – devices that deliver navigation, entertainment, and networked computing services in cars, trucks and buses. 

Handwriting recognition is a smarter and safer way to enter information on the display and requires no special training or handwriting adjustment, with 97% accuracy results. For a few years now, the German automotive manufacturer Audi has equipped their 2011 A8 and A6 models with on-board computers that support handwriting functions capable of entering information into the Multi Media Interface, which includes the car’s media player and navigation system. 

Audi’s rationale was that some users find it easier to manually enter information rather than pressing buttons. Another German automaker, BMW, called their handwriting recognition feature that allows users to write out addresses and words with their fingertip – iDrive Touch.

The PenReader technology has been in the industry already for 17 years and has been reliably used by millions of mobile users world-wide. Paragon Software developed its proprietary PenReader handwriting recognition software beginning in 1997 for early PDA devices. 

Over the next few years, specialized operations such as orthographical correction of recognition results and support for 42 world languages were added to the PenReader engine, increasing the complexity, exposure and reliability of its handwriting identification.  A full consumer version of PenReader with cursive text recognition was released in 2007.  

Unlike other input methods, PenReader adjusts to the user’s natural handwriting style rather than requiring any handwriting modifications or the use of complex symbols like those used in early handwriting recognition software. PenReader can be used in place of the default keyboard in any application, and can be easily configured to integrate completely with any operating system. The company recently released the PenReader API as part of a software development kit aimed specifically at device manufacturers.