A voice-activated device or voice command device (VCD) is a device, or hardware, that is controlled with a voice-activated assistant, also referred to as a voice user interface (VUI). This VUI makes it possible for human voice interaction with computing devices, through the use of speech recognition that can decode spoken commands and answer questions.
The number of voice-activated devices is growing, and they are taking new forms, as artificial intelligence is more and more used in all kinds of devices. At present, voice devices can be used in cars; home automation systems (sometimes in so-called smart homes), for example by opening doors, turning lights on or off, or managing climate control by clapping hands or giving specific voice commands; computer operating systems; and home appliances, such as washing machines, refrigerators, televisions remote controls, and vacuum cleaners that operate on voice commands.
Some of the most known voice activated devices are smartphones or smart speakers. Alexa, one of the most known voice-activated assistants, was launched by Amazon with its ECHO smart speakers. These speakers were among the first products to be launched at more affordable prices. The technology had already existed, but with ECHO it was made more available to the general public. Nowadays there is a growing range of voice-activated devices and they have more diverse uses every day.
