Recently Filed in Voice Recognition

There are solar panels on the roof. There are monitors in the house that display energy savings. And there are efficient compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) throughout. All very green—and very automated. We should say very, very automated. Lights come on and turn off automatically. Blinds shut when it’s time to cool the home. Beyond the energy-saving green functions of this abode, a sophisticated home control system provides security alerts in a woman’s voice—yes, the house talks—and can be controlled by voice commands. Incoming phone calls… View this story
Home Security Systems • Surveillance • Climate Control Systems • Thermostats and Sensors • Home Control Systems • Voice Recognition • Lighting Control Systems • Shades and Blinds • Green Technology • Home of the Year Awards 2008 • Home Control • Cool Homes • Slideshows

Voice Recognition is one of those technologies that I keep an eye on. Recently I posted about Sensory, Inc.’s latest integrated circuit for use in products using this technology, and also about the home control application HomeZIX adding voice control capabilities. Judging by some of the comments I’ve received on the posts, I gather many of readers follow progress in this field as well. Small wonder that I should find myself writing about the latest from Sensory, Inc. The company just received a patent (their… View this story
Networking and Communication • Home Control Systems • Voice Recognition • Home Control • Info and Answers • Opinion/Soapbox

We could argue all day about who the best Starfleet commander was (at least some of us could), but when it comes down to it, all of their terms had to come to an end. For Tony Alleyne, it was time to hand his ship off to the next captain. Alleyne’s apartment, which was widely publicized due to the fact that he modeled it after “Star Trek: Voyager,” now has a new owner. After a remarkable 34 bids, it sold on eBay for $850,000. “Having… View this story
Acoustic Treatments • Equipment Racks • Seating • Home Control Systems • Voice Recognition • Lighting Control Systems • Themed Theaters • Home Theater • Cool Homes

News from the HomeZIX front keeps on coming. First came the add-on enabling control with instant messenger; now the folks at Automation Vista have added voice recognition to the growing list of HomeZIX features. (To read up on another new product using VR, check out the Voice Activated TV Remote by InVoca). Users of HomeZIX can go to www.automationvista.com and download the VoiceZIX application. The instructions on installation and set-up are right there and look pretty easy to follow.  Control can be done from multiple… View this story
Home Control Systems • Voice Recognition • Home Control • Info and Answers • Opinion/Soapbox

Why just the other day I was writing about a new voice recognition chip that promises to improve upon what I find to be a frustrating and flawed technology. And lo and behold what do I come upon but a voice-activated TV remote control by InVoca. Sold through SmartHome’s Web site, this $44.99 device may score coolness points for the host of a viewing event, but it also might seal our nation’s fate as the laziest in the world. First came the remote, which kept… View this story
Remote Controls • Voice Recognition • Home Theater • Home Control • Info and Answers • Opinion/Soapbox

I don’t own any home automation products that utilize speech recognition technology, and my car doesn’t start when I tell it to. I do, however, have a cell phone that is supposed to dial contacts when I say their name (aka “voice dialing"). I think I have used the feature four or five times in the two-year life of the phone, and none of those attempts were successful. Seems my phone can’t quite understand what I am saying. I know I have fairly decent enunciation,… View this story
Home Control Systems • Voice Recognition • Home Control • Enhancements • Info and Answers • Opinion/Soapbox

As kids, we all created forts. If you were really stylin’, yours was probably made of cardboard and included your mom’s best (or worst) bedsheets. Tony Alleyne, however, is no kid and his detailed living space takes “forts” to a whole new level. North of London, on a private block in Hinckley, Leicestershire, UK, lies the most tricked out ‘Star Trek’-themed studio apartment in the world. Ring the doorbell, and you’ll be greeted by Patrick Stewart saying “Welcome to the 24th century.” The touch of… View this story
Wall Jacks • Climate Control Systems • Voice Recognition • Outdoor Lighting • Media Room • Themed Theaters • Home Theater • Enhancements • Cool Homes

ElectronicHouse.com’s 2006 Home of the Year featured a unique home control system managed by an avatar named “Cleopatra.” We caught up with the company behind the control system—Fast Track—at the recent Electronic House Expo in Long Beach, Calif. In the following video, Fast Track rep Tim Heikell offers an inside look at the company’s personalized approach to home control: View this story
Home Control • Home Control Systems • Touchpanels and Keypads • Voice Recognition • Safety and Security • Closed Circuit TV • Web Cameras • Security • Home Control • Product News

What can you expect from an Electronic House Home of the Year grand prize winner? For starters, it has to be a great house—one whose occupants don’t like leaving and always look forward to returning. It must have innovative home technology. In fact, it should have high-tech conveniences throughout, including great audio and video; a home theater or two; lighting, heating and ventilation control; and quite likely, a control system that allows for easy operation of anything by anyone from anywhere. Of course, all that… View this story
Home Control Systems • Voice Recognition • Home of the Year Awards 2006 • Multiroom AV • Home Control • Cool Homes • Slideshows