COVID-19 has created a demand for technology like never before. Even though we have virtual assistants, such as Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant, earlier as well. But it was not commonly used by a lot of people. The actual importance of voice assistance has grown in recent years.
Working from home has allowed people to use VUI technology with ease. They don’t have to constantly check whether other workers around them are disturbed. Remote employees are sitting in the comfort of their home offices. This makes it easy for them to leverage speech recognition and communication to their advantage.
Voice user interface is reshaping how we interact with machines on a daily basis. Decades ago this might have been something we would see in Back to the Future. But we are living in a digital era where voice-controlled devices and virtual assistants aren’t a thing of the future. So, let’s take a closer look at how voice user interface has changed the world around us.
Table of contents
What is a Voice User Interface?
Before we talk about the positives and negatives of the voice user interface, let’s see what’s the hype about speech recognition technology. Voice-controlled devices are not something completely new. But the popularity is somewhat recent.
You can interact and communicate with your smartphone, tablet, computer, or any other device. All you need to do is check what virtual assistant is available for use. Here is a list of the best VUIs:
- Apple’s Siri
- Amazon’s Alexa
- Google’s Assistant
- Microsoft’s Cortana
These are prime examples of the voice user interface, which is shaping consumer behavior. This has created a demand for smart speakers, as the use of VUI in workplaces has become common. Voice-controlled devices make the lives of employees easier. You will read about it further in the article.
Pros and Cons of Voice User Interfaces
The digital era can benefit from voice user interfaces. But everything comes with its pros and cons. So, we can check out how it will revolutionize our interaction with technology. Human society relying on machines is something we see in movies. It’s either North or South. In this article, we will have to see whether the pros outweigh the cons of voice user interface or whether we’re heading towards technological world domination.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of voice user interface:
Pros
Saves Time
Time is money. But is it really? This saying might be somewhat true in today’s fast-paced world. You can’t waste a second if you are aiming to become successful. That’s where the voice user interface comes into play. You always don’t have a set of extra hands. So, you can ask your virtual assistant to search. This can be something simple as checking directions on Google Maps. No need to grab your phone and navigate when you have Siri or Alexa.
Assist Physically Impaired People
Physically impaired people can benefit the most from voice user interfaces. They can communicate easily with others around them. But that’s not where it ends. It’s just the start. These virtual assistant technologies help convert texts into audio, which is great for inclusivity. Hence, incorporating VUIs into our daily life is a blessing that we need badly.
Communicate Effectively With Foreigners
Voice user interface is a blessing in a globalized world. One can’t survive without communicating their needs with people around. That’s where speech recognition comes with its many benefits. It’s no longer difficult to communicate your needs with other people, even if you don’t speak the same language.
Cons
Cost of Voice Recognition Technology
Smart home devices are not cheap. You may have to bare the cost of voice recognition technology. They fall in the high-end category of tech. That’s not where the money stops pouring in. Your electricity bills increase because these smart devices use energy.
Privacy Concerns
The biggest downfall of the voice user interface is privacy issues. Ever since Facebook started leaking user information to companies, it has been much easier to breach privacy terms. So, manufacturers tracking user data or eavesdropping on sensitive information is a major red flag. That’s why people try to steer clear of voice-over interface devices.
Create Focus Issues
Virtual assistance can create concentration issues. You may not be able to focus on one task at a time. You might try to repeat instructions and end up losing time and energy. It’s tough to focus when your attention is divided between two or more tasks at the same time. This can become frustrating for people with ADHD issues.
Future of Voice User Interface
There is still a long way to go for the voice user interface. It’s not the end of the road. Instead, creators need to figure out how to improve consumer privacy. There should be clauses to ensure there is no reason to be concerned about who listens to your conversation at home or the office. The future will bring the best of both worlds, as flawless design and great code can give us top-notch virtual assistance. It’s not that Alexa or Cortana isn’t up to par right now, but there is always room for improvement. Keeping this in mind, we are eager to see designers and developers reshape consumer behaviors.
