Voice Tech Poised to Become Vital Tool
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 11/17/20
As
touch becomes a dirty word, voice technology is positioned to provide
a safer alternative. In a survey
by Adobe of a 1,000 voice technology users
in the United States, nearly a third (31 percent) said sanitation
(such as not needing to touch high-traffic surfaces) was a big
benefit of voice technology. Specific applications favored both
business and consumer use. Among the business applications for voice
were opening doors (mentioned by 56 percent), designating a floor on
the elevator (55 percent) or using a vending machine (49 percent).
Consumer applications included checking a bank balance (mentioned by
37 percent), updating work tasks and events (34 percent) or setting
up a grocery delivery (28 percent).
As
Mark Webster, a voice product director at Adobe, wrote in a blog that
shared survey results, "Brands striving to engage with consumers
in a safe way should consider leveraging voice technology to power
contactless interactions and reduce contact with high-traffic
surfaces."
Currently,
respondents said the most prevalent use of voice tech in their lives
included use of apps for directions (52 percent), texting or chat (51
percent) and controlling music (46 percent). While users said that
overall voice tech was easy to use, nearly six in 10 (57 percent)
said greater accuracy was needed for them to want to use the
technology more often or in more diverse ways. Also, 62 percent
mentioned that they felt "awkward" using voice when other
people were around.
Almost
two in five survey participants (39 percent) told the company that
they had only begun using voice tech in the past year. However,
nearly half (49 percent) predicted that by 2025, voice tech would
better meet their needs "as its design continues to develop."
"The
COVID-19 pandemic has changed what convenience means, including not
having to touch a surface or pull down a mask to unlock your phone,"
Webster said in an interview
with Bradley Metrock, a voice technology expert who publishes "This
Week in Voice VIP.
"With 86 percent of users noting voice technology could make
visiting a business or attending an event feel more sanitary, voice
technology could be a vital tool as we consider how to safely reopen
our communities."
About the Author
Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.