Did you know that the first speech recognition systems developed as early as in the 1950s? Although initially the technology was only able to understand numbers, now, after more than 70 years of constant development, it has finally reached a human-level of accuracy. Today, we see it widespread among various industries and combined with other tech-driven solutions. One of them is IoT — connected with smart speakers, it’s forecasted to conquer more than 66 million households in the US by the end of 2022. Pretty neat, ha?
First things first — what’s IoT?
Some of you may know the term, some may not, so we’ll give you a little bit of an insight and then move on to the nitty-gritty.
The Internet of Things refers to devices that we wouldn’t normally associate with being connected to the net, like a light bulb, a coffee machine or a security system. Several home automation appliances can work together and trigger one another to do a particular task, building up to an advanced smart home solution. And in a nutshell, that’s how it works.
So, why do people turn to voice-activated household solutions?
According to the latest PwC survey, 90% of respondents are familiar with voice-enabled assistants and 72% experienced using them first-hand. We’re not only getting accustomed with voice tech — it’s actually becoming more and more mainstream. What’s more, the global speech and voice recognition market is forecasted to take a leap of $31.82 billion by 2025. And that’s huge!
As for now, almost 55 million US citizens own at least one voice-enabled IoT device — excluding smartphones. And why are they so eager to speak with the machine?
- Stereotype states that multitasking is a woman’s thing. We, on the other hand, think that it’s a matter of self-organization and an ability to focus, regardless of sex. We also know that voice definitely helps. If one of the tasks can be done solely by speech, your hands and eyes can center upon other things. And just like that — you’re becoming a multitasking guru.
- We’re not reinventing the wheel saying that not having to do things manually saves time. So, if you can tell your speaker to turn on the vacuum cleaner in your house, you’re all set to do other stuff, while your home devices operate together to meet your needs.
- The Internet is a powerful knowledge base. But in order to find the necessary information, you have to grab your device and type. And what if your hands are covered up in dough or you’re in the middle of cleaning a toilet seat? The answer is simple — just speak. Your voice assistant is there to help.
- The last yet not the least important thing is simply making your daily routine much easier. Smart home appliances operated by voice are like these little robots helping you in your chores. You always wanted someone to do that, didn’t you?
Voice and IoT combined — technology giants
Smart speakers allowed famous virtual assistants like Google and Alexa to become an inseparable part of our households. They’re able to connect to varied residential systems, automating our everyday tasks and enabling us to control chosen devices by voice. Want to disarm a security system while walking in the front door, see the video footage of your doorbell or set a timer for a soft-boiled egg while preparing a salad? It’s all as easy as opening your mouth. According to Loup Ventures Annual Digital Assistant IQ Test Results, both Google and Alexa can understand your query nearly 100%. Correct answers vary from 92,90% in Google Assistant and 79,80% in case of Alexa.
So, let’s get a closer look at both solutions.
Google Home Voice Controller
Controlling your home facilities, enabling voice-activated Google search functions, and providing outstanding music abilities make this smart speaker a real player. It understands the context of your queries and can work with several Google accounts recognizing their users’ voices. Two built-in and far-field microphones are always on guard ready to swoop in when they hear “Hey, Google” or “OK, Google”, yet sitting silent if you only say “Google” while discussing your recent searches or phone functions. The solution is also compatible with various home devices controllable by voice, like:
- Smart light bulbs
You can adjust their colors and brightness according to your mood and preferences without getting up from your chair.
- Streaming devices
You can play varied types of videos with the addition of a Chromecast device and create a multiroom sound experience for the whole family.
- Thermostats
You’re too hot or too cold? There’s a simple way to adjust your thermostat according to your current needs. Just specify a number of desired degrees or simply say “Hey, Google, it’s too hot”. The device learns your preferences in each room and keeps the temperature you like.
- Camera systems
You’re able to watch all your camera feeds connected to the Chromestat-enabled devices, checking them from wherever you are — other country or simply a different room. This smart technology can even learn faces of all of the household members.
- Smart faucet
Just a few words and Google Assistant will keep your plants watered whenever it’s needed. You can also program the faucet when you’re away to water your garden at particular times each day.
Amazon Echo
Amazon Echo devices work similarly to Google Home, using Alexa voice-enabled assistant to turn words into action. It answers most popular queries, works as a DJ playing your favorite music, and controls varied smart-home devices for your everyday convenience.
Just like Google, it allows you to use your voice in order to activate and adjust streaming systems, smart light bulbs, plugs, locks, thermostats, security cameras, soundbars, and more.
Ready to combine your IoT device with voice?
You don’t really need to use ready-made solutions provided by Google or Amazon. A voice assistant supporting your IoT technology may be original and fully customized. If you think about developing such a solution, we’re competent enough to choose the right path and suggest an offer adjusted to your needs. Make your device smarter and let it talk its way into your clients hearts.
