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Voice Is The New App To Simplify Smart Home Systems
Soon we all will be like Iron Man and have a Jarvis to control our home
Connectivity is still a big challenge for buyers who purchase smart home systems and connected devices for their cars and even their offices. Do the systems work with their current devices? How do they speak to each other? And where do they start?
Manufacturers must better explain to consumers how products work, which wireless protocol they run on, and how to link their products to other connected devices that consumers either currently own or plan to buy. (Check out GearBrain's How Your Smart Home Speaks Wireless to learn about the five wireless protocols.)
Speak your mind
One way some manufacturers simplify how new devices connect is with voice commands. Speaking to a device, and having it understand you, makes the entire experience easier—plus encourages buyers to keep using these products at home. Voice detection technology has advanced so much that consumers can speak in natural sentences, and be easily understood, says Ellen Juhlin, head of product at Orion Labs, a voice communication company based in San Francisco, CA.
"With the latest generation of voice AIs like Alexa and Siri, the burden is shifted to the software systems to interpret what you want to do, and then take the appropriate action," she says. "So in that sense, voice is the new app for interacting with any technology around you."
However, these new voice-activated devices have a big security challenge: How do you keep them from being hacked? Right now, it's hard enough to secure current connected devices, especially those connected to an open system like WiFi or Bluetooth. Closed systems, including Z-Wave and Zigbee, do fare better. Voice recognition technology could help lock down devices with voice control. But remember that voice technology can also create issues, as your voice can change its timbre and tone based on where you are, what you're doing, and even how you feel.
Say my name
Many current voice activation devices work on commands or once they hear their name. Considering that these new devices are always listening can cause a big problem, especially if you are not in the room and the TV is left on. Did you see what Stephen Corbert did on his TV Show? He said into the TV "Alexa, Order me pizza." Check out the video below to see the entire skit. It's great.
Colbert also highlights the need for voice recognition to be built into voice activation devices for security. This will start to alleviate many problems like what Stephen demonstrated and ease concerns for consumers. After all, who wants a robber to be able to tell Alexa to turn off a security system?
Which manufacturers are leading the charge for voice activation? You will not be surprised on a few of the leaders in this space. You have Amazon with Alexa, Apple with Siri, Microsoft with Cortana, and Google with Google Home (Android). But a few startups are vying for the top spot, including Orion Labs, CastleOS, and Ubi. Other manufacturers also insert voice activation into their products by using existing voice apps or creating their own. Here is a list of current voice activation products available on the market today:
- Amazon Echo with Alexa
- Google: Google Home and Android Auto
- Apple: Apple HomeKit and CarKit (Siri)
- Athon Harmony
- Castel OS Castle Hub
- Insteon (with Siri)
- Ivee Sleek (smart alarm clock too)
- Mycroft
- Ubi
- Onyx (Orion Labs)
As you can see, we have very big and powerful companies fighting to be the standard voice hub for controlling your smart home, connected car, and any other connected device in your personal Internet of Things. That's because they see that voice activation will drive the adoption of smart devices. And demand? That's only going to increase, says Orion Lab's Juhlin.
"The available technology and network bandwidth can now easily support this greater richness of communication and connection, and the demand for this kind of connection will only increase," she says. "As far as interacting directly with technology, Amazon's Alexa has become the new interface to a whole ecosystem of voice-enabled services. By opening up their platform, supporting the developers that want to use it, and providing a consistent UX framework to follow, they've made it easy for users to access and control things that previously required a mobile app or web page."
However, consumers still need to be educated about why they need a voice activation device and how it works with their smart home system or connected car. Manufacturers will also need to show how voice can transform the way consumers can control their new connected lifestyle while also saving buyers money. Finally, companies need to demonstrate how these devices can make the consumer's time more efficient and provide the protection they need for themselves, their home, and their family.
Some companies are starting to address these concerns with new ways consumers can use and adopt voice activation with their existing smart home devices. August Home, for example, just announced the launch of the first smart lock skill on Alexa enabled devices. Now home owners with August smart locks installed, can just ask Alexa to check if they remembered to lock their front door—and if they forgot, have Alexa do that for them.
"We understand voice is the natural progression to gain adoption for new smart home devices," says Kathy Sanders, CMO of August Home. "With our Amazon Alexa integration, we are providing consumers with a human interface that offers a whole new level of convenience with another hands-free way to control the front door."
In addition, Ford announced they will integrate Amazon's Alexa into their Sync 3 system.Imagine it's 20 degrees outside, and all you have to do is tell Alexa to start the car and set the heat to 78 degrees. And more will come. All we hope is that the manufacturers remember it's not voice activation but voice activation and recognition.
Check out GearBrain's Amazon Echo: Best AI Digital Assistant For Any Smart Home to learn more about Amazon Echo. Check out GearBrain's Here's Everything that Works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa to learn more about what works with Google Home and Amazon Alexa-enabled devices.)
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