New Alexa Voice Service development kit creates new opportunities for voice interfaces

XMOS Ltd has launched its VocalFusion 4-Mic Dev Kit for Amazon Alexa Voice Service (AVS). It is claimed to be the first far-field linear mic array solution available. The kit is ideal for developers who want to integrate Alexa into smart panels, kitchen appliances, and other commercial and industrial electronics. The kit features a compact four-microphone linear 100mm array. The captured voice signals are crystal clear even in noisy environments, enabling commands to be accurately captured from across the room for processing by the Alexa cloud-based speech recognition system. The company is the only solution to date that packs audio DSP and programmable I/O processing and control software into a single chip, enabling customers to significantly reduce their bill of materials, flexibly tailor their designs, and reduce costs. “We’re delighted to work with XMOS as they introduce the first far-field linear mic array AVS solution, making it easier for developers and OEMs to build Alexa-enabled products,” said Priya Abani, director, Amazon Alexa. “XMOS’ VocalFusion 4-Mic Dev Kit for Amazon AVS will accelerate the deployment of Alexa in deeply embedded systems, new device types, and form-factors, bringing customers more choice of where to access Alexa.” “We’re excited to collaborate with Amazon, the pioneer in voice-enabled consumer solutions. We believe that our homes and offices will very soon be smart environments, and that voice provides the most convenient and intuitive solution to control the many machines that surround us,” said Mark Lippett, president and CEO at XMOS. “Solutions like ours enable developers to bring to market connected products that can be used with simplicity, in our own natural spoken language. We are working with our partners to accelerate the adoption of AVS as the voice solution of choice for the Internet of Things.”