Voice technologies have come a long way since the days of traditional landline telephones. From their humble beginnings as simple communication devices, voice-based technologies have rapidly evolved to include intelligent assistants that have revolutionized the way that we interact with our devices and the world around us.
In this blog, we will explore the journey of voice technologies.
The Journey:
- The Rise of Landline Telephones: Landline telephones were the first mass-market voice communication devices and gave people the ability to communicate with others, over long distances, through wired networks.
- Mobile Phones and Voice Quality: With the advent of cellular networks and the mobile devices that were dependent on them, voice technology took a significant leap forward. Users were no longer restricted by landlines because mobile devices now gave users the ability to communicate on the go with greater call quality and clarity.
- VoIP Technology and Internet Telephony: Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology marked a shift from traditional telephony systems to digital telephony systems as it enabled voice communication over the internet. Some of the benefits of VoIP are; higher call quality, more cost-effective and additional features like call forwarding and voicemail.
- Interactive Voice Response (IVR) Systems: When IVR systems were first introduced, they were commonly used to assist companies with customer service queries. IVR technology gave users the ability to interact with automated voice menus to assist them in accessing information or performing specific actions, like; checking bank balances or making reservations.
- Virtual Voice Assistants (VVAs): The concept of virtual assistants emerged in the late 1960s (Jovanovic, 2023) with ELIZA, the first VVA. This was then later followed by VVA’s like Apple’s Siri.
Advantages of Virtual Voice Assistants:
Voice assistants offer several advantages that have made them increasingly popular. Here are some key advantages of using voice assistants:
- Natural Language Interaction: Voice assistants have become more proficient in understanding natural language commands, allowing users to interact with them in a more conversational and intuitive manner.
- Integration with Smart Home Devices: Voice assistants can act as a central hub to control and manage various smart home devices, such as lights, security systems and entertainment systems. This integration allows for seamless voice-controlled automation, enhancing convenience and the ability to make your home ‘smarter’.
- Constant Availability: Voice assistants are always ready to assist whenever you need them. They are available 24/7, providing instant responses and assistance without the limitations of human availability. This constant accessibility ensures that you have access to help or information whenever you require it.
References:
Jovanovic, P. (2023, April 21). The history and evolution of Virtual assistants. Tribulant Blog. https://tribulant.com/blog/software/the-history-and-evolution-of-virtual-assistants-from-simple-chatbots-to-todays-advanced-ai-powered-systems/#:~:text=The%20first%20virtual%20assistant%20can,a%20conversation%20with%20a%20psychotherapist.
