How Voice Technology Is Revolutionizing Industries: Beyond Virtual Assistants
Voice technology is more than just virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant. It’s no longer a novelty that you can use to check the weather or set a timer. Now it’s a powerful tool that’s helping to transform industries. So let’s take a look beyond assistants and how voice technology is being utilized in different areas and industries.
These systems have been able to grow thanks to advances in technology like artificial intelligence and natural language processing. This allows systems to understand context, intent and even emotional tone. Voice tech does more than listen and respond. It can anticipate its users’ needs, anticipate their behavior and deliver seamless interaction.
Voice for better care
Healthcare is another industry that has embraced voice technology. Many doctors and nurses are now using voice-driven systems to document patient interactions. This is helping to reduce administrative overhead, improve accuracy and allow more of a focus on care. Patients can easily access health information or schedule appointments simply by speaking. This is helping to lower the barriers for the elderly or those who struggle with mobility issues.
Additionally voice interfaces are hands-free. This is extremely beneficial in the healthcare industry, specifically in high-risk environments as it promotes hygiene as well as efficiency.
Voice for accessibility and inclusivity
Voice technology is helping many industries to become more accessible. For individuals with visual impairments, limited mobility, or learning differences, voice provides a vital means of interaction. Tasks that once required a touchscreen or keyboard can now be completed through simple voice commands.
It’s also helping industries to be more inclusive. Text to speech (TTS) APIs convert written content into natural-sounding speech. This tool is completely changing the game for many industries, coming with a number of benefits such as improved accessibility, convenience and helping to save time. A text to speech API service will typically offer customizable voices, multiple languages and even emotional tones. It’s become a common tool used in the media and social media, helping to make online content more accessible to a wider audience. It’s also extremely useful in the education sector, helping students with reading difficulties or visual impairments to access learning materials in an auditory form.
Voice in the smart home
Smart home technology is one of the places where voice technology is thriving the most. These are not just single devices, voice interfaces are now the glue that ties together devices like thermostats, lighting systems, speakers and even security cameras. Users are now able to control these items all in one place with just their voice. With just a few words a user can dim their lights, play music and even lock their doors. This technology even works beyond the home, with users being able to control their devices from anywhere. This not only helps them to work more efficiently but it can also be cost and energy saving too, as users are able to make sure they’re devices are off even when they’re not at home.
AI technology is helping smart home technology develop even more. The technology is able to identify patterns and behavior from users and provide a more personalized experience. For example this could be a certain lighting setting, locking the doors at a specific time or even changing the blinds settings throughout the day as the sun moves.
Voice for productivity
Voice technology can also help individuals and businesses to be more productive. These tools can be used to book meetings into your calendar app and even handle complex customer queries via a smart chatbot. Utilizing voice technology to help with smaller and administrative tasks, businesses can focus their time and energy on improving their business. Voice technology can also help to speed up tasks such as pulling up data and finding information quickly. Thanks to AI technology and machine learning, this technology is even more intelligent, helping businesses to make more informed decisions and ensure accuracy and reliability.
Voice for safety
Hands-free offers more than just convenience in vehicles. It enhances safety too. Most modern cars now come with sophisticated voice systems, ones that let drivers manage navigation, control music and take calls and dictate messages without taking their eyes off the road. This is helping to make the road a much safer place, eliminating the need for drivers to even glance at their screen and away from the road. Many automakers like Ford and BMW have integrated voice assistants directly into their infotainment systems. This means drivers can also check fuel levels, start the engine and adjust settings in the car through their voice.
Voice technology is now being used by a number of different industries and helping with a wide range of tasks. It’s helping to enhance accessibility and inclusivity, as well as promoting safety, productivity and efficiency. As technology continues to grow, it will be exciting to see how voice technology will continue to aid and improve industries.
