Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of interconnected electronic devices, capable of communicating with one another over the Internet. The primary task is information sharing, ultimately facilitating better decision management. IoT has been around since 1980s and has reached the level of sophistication that was only imaginable at that time. Every household appliance, personal device and office equipment can be connected and controlled over the Internet. Its significance skyrocketed when milestone development of integrating Voice Assistant with IoT devices was reached.
Voice input from the user is processed by front end device equipped with AI/ML, NLP & VUI and then communicated to IoT
Digital assistant that employs voice recognition and artificial intelligence & machine learning (AI/ML), to respond to voice inputs, with digitally generated audio feedback is a voice assistant. Task- and Knowledge-based workflow competencies are accomplished simultaneously; indicating to it’s potential of seamless integration into workflow of a house or an office. Siri developed by Apple Inc launched on an iPhone in 2010 has since then seen a surge in reliance on voice assistants, with over 4 billion users expected in 2022.
A technological merger between voice assistant and IoT together conceived “Voice Activated IoT Devices”. This advancement has accelerated adoption of IoT devices in the household environment. The luxury of dictating a device from anywhere, to perform operation through simple voice commands, is hard to let go off.
Where is Voice Activated IoT used?
Voice activated IoT is extensively used in the household. It is facilitated by use of smart speakers, smart phones and smart home hubs. These smart devices provide an interface to access peripheral devices and appliances connected over the Internet. Voice control has increased the IoT utility and extended its range of operations in environments other than home. Healthcare and hospitals can benefit from voice assistants to perform several medical functions like obtaining heart rate blood glucose body temperature in saturated oxygen levels on command. Maintaining daily journals and completing records on the instruction of the patient. Audio inputs and commands in a hospital scenario can update and register medical records, drug dosage and monitoring system. In schools and offices voice and speech recognition capabilities of IoT voice can be used to improve and enhance security systems and privacy. Conferences and meetings conducted under the supervision of voice assistants can improve the productivity and efficiency of the workforce. Automation of tasks based on voice commands will have better output. Autonomous vehicles with inbuilt personal assistance fill out the driver to global interact with the car such as adjusting speed and climate control. Smart logistic solutions integrated with voice technology will improve transportation.
Voice activated IoT devices are prevalent at home and is seeing a push in other scenarios due to technical advancements
Pros & Cons: Voice Activated IoT
Top Companies developing tech for IoT voice
The integration between voice activated technology and IoT is significant in achieving a hands-free experience in all aspects of life including work, travel and education. With the improvements in voice control and voice activated technology such as, improved natural language processing (NLP), advanced large language models, enhanced Voice AI aptitude, better deep learning and voice-to-text translations and better developed voice user interface (VUI); will enable seamless transition towards voice enabled IoT. The companies are working towards developing superior IoT devices capable of voice activation, for which R&D in speech & voice recognition and voice capture technology is essential. Top IoT manufacturers along with top companies involved in speech and voice recognition will encourage and boost voice activated IoT market.
Recent trends in IoT and Voice Technology
Artificial Intelligence and IoT (AIoT)
It is the combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of technology (IoT). Together they form sort of symbiotic relationship where AI obtains the data from IoT devices and the IoT devices in turn receive advanced management. AI supported by Machine Learning (ML) can recognize patterns in the data obtained by IoT devices and predict the expectations, addressing the reliability issues of voice enabled IoT.
Connectivity for IoT
5G, Wi-fi 6, Low Power WAN (LPWAN) and Satellite can further increase IoT’s utility by reducing latency, reducing packet loss and increasing data transfer rates over wireless medium. For efficient operational capabilities better connectivity is quintessential. Capitalizing on more bandwidth of 5G, faster networking speed of Wi-fi 6 and energy efficient LPWAN can be decisive in acceptance of voice control technology.
Edge Computing
In contrast to cloud, dividing the processing load between the device and cloud is edge computing. It helps reduce the latency and reliance on a cloud server improving data privacy and protection. IoT devices employing edge computing can process the information faster and respond quicker to voice cue such as wake-ups, voice searches and voice command to control IoT network.
Voice User Interface (VUI)
VUI helps the user to interact with machines and devices which speech and dialogues. It is an interactive way to access voice enabled technology. Smart speakers equipped with Voice Assistant is an example of VUI. These currently lack the accuracy to detect and recognize speech. Developments in this field along with improvements in AI is determined to correct voice recognition for better hands-off user experience.
Sentiment Analysis & Emotion Recognition
Research interests of sentiment analysis and emotion recognition is the next step in developing speech recognition. Understanding the nuances of the user will help voice enabled technology provide better and precise results. Interactions with voice based IoT devices will feel more natural that can develop an ecosystem with touch inputs detached from the concept of data input. AI/ML is developed extensively on sentiment analysis, to inculcate human touch.
Will Voice replace Touch in the future?
With improving embrace of voice assistants, IoT devices and ever popularizing of smart homes the expectation from this technology will also increase. Eventually, even the expectation of performing tasks by simply speaking will be fulfilled. Improvement in ML, deep learning, NLP and language models are boosting the AI capabilities of understanding speech & voice emphasis, punctuations, voice-to-text translation, voice recognition and intelligent & intuitive response. Advances in AI/ML integration, connectivity solutions, VUI and contextual recognition is quick. Thus, improving reliability and usefulness by increasing productivity and efficiency; all without the need of physical touch for input.
IoT has seen extensive use in the last 5 years in domestic household front and is seeing similar trend in automobile, medical and corporate sector. The growing dynamics of demand for interoperability will drive the R&D making a jump from touch-based input to voice-based input.
FAQs
Q1) What is IoT?
Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of interconnected electronic devices, capable of communicating with one another over the Internet. The primary task is information sharing ultimately facilitating better at decision management.
Q2) What are IoT THINGS?
“THINGS” in the IoT are the personal devices, household appliances, office equipment, IoT interface hub, connection management, cloud computing and most importantly internet modem or hotspot.
Q3) How to use IoT?
To use IoT one must have an internet connection and internet enabled devices. These are then linked to a common system known as smart home hub, through which other devices are controlled and operated over the internet.
