Voice command testing – “Do you understand me, machine?” Part 1
The article was published in RCRWirelessNews.
Voice clients are already installed in mobile devices, computers, TVs, washing machines, elevators and cars. If you are interested in learning more about the story behind maintaining human-machine communication, then read on.
Progress demands
We are witnessing a growing tendency in embedding voice recognition systems in all industries – from tablets to cars. Such a trend could be explained by our hi-tech crazed modern society. The trend is also encouraged by media, cinematography, marketing, TV and the Internet.
But if you look deeper, you can find the roots of humans’ aspirations to start talking to machines in their anthropology. Applying voice recognition systems is natural for people, and whatever feels natural makes the processes of achieving these things simpler. Historically, mankind used to exchange information through interpersonal communication, where verbal communication was it. Before the time when people were writing letters, texting and sending messages by e-mail, the way they exchanged information was via verbal communication only.
The main advantage of voice recognition systems is that the user doesn’t need to develop any new skills to manage the program. In comparison, consider how when becoming a computer user a person should learn computer literacy – how to hold the mouse and how to type on the keyboard. When managing the machine by his voice, however, the person doesn’t need any special skill to pronounce the command. Another important aspect is that many tasks could be completed just with a help of human voice. Then the voice recognition system is applying itself to many components of the system, while the person doesn’t need to switch different interfaces.
Limits stimulate development
The target audience of voice recognition systems is quite diverse. There are groups that are in urgent need of having such an option: people suffering from disabilities and people driving their cars, for example. For many disabled people, voice recognition software is the only way for them to interact with the outside world independently. As for car drivers, they have been pushed to start using voice recognition systems. With security requirements getting stricter all over the world, car manufacturers have started installing voice systems to avoid the official ban on talking while driving.
As a result of these demands, most mobile manufacturers are also developing and implementing voice recognition clients. While the concept of the system is similar, the quality of products varies. The voice client quality is becoming a real advantage for potential phone buyers, since they consider it a serious issue when choosing a new device.
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