Future industrial voice - pilot study

Important results from the project

The aim of the project was to explore how speech and voice-based sounds can improve the interaction between people and intelligent systems in industry. To demonstrate and evaluate how voice interaction can be used, a prototype was developed (based on one of the user cases identified during the project). Industry personnel evaluated the prototype and reflected on experience, usability and accessibility for voice interaction. Hardware and software were also evaluated. The result contributes to an increased understanding of the potential of voice interaction.

Expected long term effects

The participants in the study saw potential for voice interaction in the industry, mainly to control systems/machines, status updates & questions. Voice interaction can contribute to efficiencies, knowledge and increased accessibility. It is important that the system perceives who it should listen to and perceive commands regardless of variation in speech or noise in the environment. The technology needs to be comfortable, portable, small and work despite noise. The project has evoked interest of voice interaction in the industry and creates a good basis for further development.

Approach and implementation

The project was led by RISE in collaboration with the industrial companies Svalson and Podcomp. They contributed to insights of important user cases, opportunities and challenges. Intended users evaluated hardware for sound recording/playback and the prototype for voice interaction that was developed in the project. The User experience of voice characters was evaluated through the prototype and in an acoustic analysis. Software was mainly evaluated in the project group. Scania, Smurfit Kappa Kraftliner and the communication agency Vinter were stakeholders in the project.