Karen Jacobsen, an Australian voiceover artist, has become an iconic presence in vehicles worldwide. Her voice, which guides users on Google Maps and other GPS apps, has been a fixture for nearly 21 years. With over a billion devices installed with the Maps feature, Jacobsen humorously claims she is “the only woman who men take command from without questioning.”
Early Beginnings
Originally from Mackay, Queensland, near Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, Karen Jacobsen aspired to be a professional singer. After moving to New York in 2002 to pursue this dream, she landed a voiceover job with GPS maker Garmin, chosen for her pleasant Australian accent. Her voice quickly became synonymous with directional guidance on GPS devices and smartphones.
Voice Synthesis and Recording
Karen Jacobsen’s distinctive voice is the result of extensive voice synthesis work. She recorded a comprehensive script that allowed engineers to create a versatile GPS voice. This included generic traffic terms and specific phrases like “at the next intersection, turn left” and “you have reached your destination.” To perfect the recording, she repeated the word “approximately” 168 times.
A Voice for the Ages
Karen finds the use of her voice both enjoyable and enduring. Despite some criticism of the term “recalculating” as being condescending, she explains it is intended to be reassuring. Her voice, now embedded in millions of devices, continues to be a reassuring guide for drivers worldwide.
Challenges and Ironies
Despite her success, Jacobsen faces an ironic challenge: Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant that uses voice recognition, often fails to understand her. Her attempts to resolve this issue have been unsuccessful, adding a quirky twist to her otherwise impressive career.
Continued Impact
Beyond GPS navigation, Karen has ventured into music and remains a popular figure in the voiceover industry. Her voice, a constant on mobile devices, reflects her unique contribution to digital navigation and technology
