Intel GM Eyes Voice Control to Build Smart Home Market, Advises More Robust Household Wi-Fi

and China, his company determined technology could lessen friction through “emulating the human senses,” he said. Intel is working on having Amazon Alexa listen for “anomalies,” not just a wake word, Kingston said, like glass breaking, a baby crying or a dog barking. Such intelligence is based on edge computing, where devices in the home pack higher brainpower rather than relying on the cloud. Benefits include privacy, he said. Ease of use has been a primary barrier to adoption of smart home technology, the GM said. “You had a dozen applications that managed a dozen purpose-built devices. It wasn’t any quicker to turn your lights on if you had to turn on your phone, go find the right app and press the button,” he said. “Alexa has made it so simple." For voice to take off, he advises: “Invest in new Wi-Fi that’s meant for many, many devices.”