Voice control and activation have the potential to enhance the AV user experience radically. Now a new generation of voice applications supported by AI promises even more.
It’s probably too early to assess the impact of AI solutions. However, one area where advances are immediately apparent is voice control and activation. It is to be hoped that the days of fumbling with remote controls and touchscreens no longer act as a barrier to user adoption and a constraint on productivity. In the place of visual controls voice-controlled AV systems will see a new era of AV use and applications.
AI-enhanced voice recognition technology enables users to control AV devices and settings with natural language commands. Adjusting volume and brightness levels to initiate video calls, and voice control is making AV systems more accessible and user-friendly. The trend in favour of voice aligns with the growing demand for intuitive interfaces that simplify the user experience and enhance accessibility across diverse user groups, with obvious examples including dexterity and visual impairment.
The intelligent workplace
As a consequence of time lost in starting video and audio conferences, particularly when staged in a venue unfamiliar to the conference participants, AI can automate basic solution setup taking into account room booking criteria and past behaviours. Smart algorithms can learn and adapt to user behaviour, automating tasks such as adjusting lighting, setting up audio levels and configuring display options. For fine-tuning a solution, taking into account conditions and the specifics of participants, with voice control, will result in a hassle-free, personalised AV experience without a significant user training overhead. Those adopting these solutions can look forward to enhanced productivity and improved efficiency in meeting and learning scenarios.
Ease of use is one thing, but what about the quality of the outcomes? If the use of meeting room and classroom solutions can be encouraged through the deployment of voice-controlled AI, solutions can be personalised to deliver appropriate content to individual participants or students so-called ‘decision support’. This does not necessarily involve a greater degree of preparation by those leading sessions or classes. AV systems properly configured and equipped with AI algorithms can analyse user preferences and behaviours to deliver the right content to the right participants. Personalised content has been found to result in a more immersive and engaging experience, leading to better decisions.
Why voice control?
Voice control and activation are natural bedfellows with artificial intelligence. A single word can trigger a chain of events, even when in its infancy with devices triggered by commands by technologies including Alexa and other smart speakers. Voice-controlled assistance in our cars is commonplace and prompting a revolutionary change in home entertainment. Aside from safety and convenience, even early voice control and activate devices offer accessibility – essential in, for example, automotive applications where training is not really an option. The technology, however clever, must work.
For those who may have found traditional interfaces challenging, voice control and activation are now an option for a range of increasingly sophisticated AV solutions. Indeed, voice-activated devices are considered to be at the forefront of technology. In essence, voice-controlled and activated devices capture and understand spoken commands, performing actions or providing responses based on those commands. Voice technologies make complex technologies accessible and user-friendly creating a more inclusive world.
While apparently simple to use, the technology underpinning voice control and activation relies on a combination of sophisticated technologies. Firstly, voice recognition allows devices to receive and interpret human speech. This involves breaking down speech into ‘phonemes’ – the smallest units of sound in a language for analysis by algorithms. Secondly, natural language processing (NLP), enables devices to understand the context of commands and intent behind speech input. This involves parsing sentences, recognising speech patterns and even different dialects and accents. Machine learning algorithms continuously improve the system’s accuracy by learning from each interaction.
Voice technologies
Most of us have used voice control and activation, at least at the consumer level. Smart speakers, like Amazon Echo and Google Home, have become common household installs. These devices can play music, set timers, and provide news and weather updates. When paired with compatible technologies, they can also control other smart devices, including lighting and heating, with voice commands.
A second category of voice-enabled devices includes virtual assistants found in smartphones and tablets, such as Apple’s Siri, Google Assistant, and Samsung’s Bixby. These assistants complement the role of the Personal Assistant, helping send messages, making calls, and providing navigation assistance. Extra to these general-purpose devices, there are specialised voice-controlled and activated devices designed for specific professional purposes. For instance, there are devices tailored for security and surveillance purposes, responding to voice commands to monitor and protect premises.
But it is in the home that the first wave of voice-controlled and activated devices have found initial success. Voice control and activation have turned the concept of a ‘smart home’ from a science-fiction dream into an everyday reality. With simple voice commands, users can control lighting, adjust thermostats, operate home security systems and manage home entertainment systems. Smart devices can also create routines and scenarios, automating a chain of actions with a single command. A one-word command can trigger a series of actions, including turning off the lights, locking the doors and setting the security system.
Voice technology and inclusivity
One sector where the advantages of voice control and activation are immediately apparent is that of inclusivity for individuals with mobility challenges or visual impairments. For those who find traditional interfaces difficult to navigate, voice commands provide an intuitive and user-friendly alternative. This technology empowers users, granting them greater independence and control over their environment. For some visually impaired individuals, voice-controlled or activated devices can be a pathway to independence and connectivity. These devices mitigate many challenges faced by the visually impaired, providing an efficient and effective way to interact with technology and the environment.
For the visually impaired, the level of assistance provided by voice interface is invaluable, enabling visually impaired individuals to perform daily activities that many take for granted, such as reading emails, browsing the internet, or even navigating through a city. For example, OrCam MyEye is a wearable AI assistive companion, which seamlessly attaches to virtually any glasses, providing a revolutionary accessibility solution for the blind and visually impaired community. OrCam Read, on the other hand, is a handheld device designed for people with reading difficulties due to mild to moderate low vision, age-related vision loss or reading fatigue. Both devices are voice-activated, allowing users to control all features and settings by simply speaking commands. In a professional setting, OrCam’s devices enable visually impaired individuals to perform their jobs effectively. For instance, an employee uses OrCam MyEye to read documents and emails, ensuring they can keep up with the fast-paced demands of the workplace.
Conclusion
The future of voice-controlled and activated technology appears game changer as important as the first interactive displays. The integration of voice technology with artificial intelligence (AI) will create smarter, more intuitive and user-friendly solutions. These systems will not only understand commands but also anticipate needs, offering a more personalised and proactive user experience. We can expect advancements in natural language processing to lead to more nuanced interactions, where devices understand not just the words but the context and emotion behind them.
The expansion of voice activation into various sectors, including healthcare, education, and transportation, is another exciting development. For instance, voice-activated devices could play a crucial role in telemedicine, enabling patients to communicate with healthcare providers effortlessly. In education, these technologies could offer personalised learning experiences, adapting to each student’s unique needs. In conclusion, the journey through the world of voice-activated technology reveals a landscape rich with innovation and potential. These devices, are now an integral part of our daily lives, bringing unparalleled convenience and accessibility. The future promises more intuitive interactions and wider applications across various sectors, with continued advancements in AI integration.
Voice interface for commercial applications
URC is among the leaders in voice control systems for AV professionals seeking to enhance the end-user experience with commercial AV solutions. Leveraging its experience and equity with connectivity and entertainment providers, in 2022, URC launched what it claimed to be the first and only custom electronics-certified integration with Comcast Xfinity. The Xfinity platform delivers leading internet, TV, voice, mobile, and device control. URC products with voice activation can now integrate devices controlled by Comcast Xfinity. With professional installation, this new integration can control both smart home and commercial environments with simple voice commands.
Following Comcast Xfinity’s firmware update, this integration will work across URC’s portfolio of user interfaces which feature voice control:
• Tabletop Controllers with 7” to 10” touch screens: TDC-9100 and TDC-7100
• In-wall controllers with 5” to 10” touch screens: TKP-9600, TKP-8600, TKP-7600 and TKP-5600
• Ergonomic Handheld Remote with 2.4” capacitive touch screen: TRC-1480
Voice control is a continuing priority for URC following years in the segment. Since its launch in 2019, the TRC-1480 has included an integrated microphone for easy voice communication The TRC-1480, aimed at both residential and commercial applications, provides full control of URC’s Total Control system, including control of televisions, cable and satellite boxes, AV gear, music systems, lighting systems, door locks, thermostats, motorised shades and more. The 1480 includes Push-To-Talk technology which ensures that end-users can turn off listening/voice activation for enhanced privacy.
Launched earlier in 2021, the TKP-8600, URC’s latest innovation in user touch screens, offers next-generation integration of automation, control, voice activation and audio capabilities. This premium in-wall touchscreen features an 8-inch high-resolution screen and a sleek profile. The brilliant, high-resolution LCD displays vivid images including live video from door stations and surveillance cameras. The built-in AV intercom offers convenient room-to-room communication. It is designed for both high-end residential and commercial installations.
URC recognized a clear consumer preference for Voice Assistant products and usage occasions. According to recent studies, U.S. Hearable Voice Assistant Users have more than doubled from 2018 to 2020. Estimates place the number of users at nearly 50 million and growing exponentially. According to recent studies, the market for voice and speech recognition products is expected to grow around 17% compounded annually and reach $26.8 billion by 2025.
