[Art]

No...not another chatbot but a constantly connected, cloud based digital assistant for the entire family.
It can be placed practically anywhere and only listens for it's name...Alexa.

Check it here:


http://www.amazon.com/oc/echo/ref_=ods_dp_ae

[8pla.net]

Looks like a giant microphone.

[Art]

Now, if echo could only "See" us with an attached camera. It could use facial recognition to identify each speaker, keep an eye on the house, monitor the front and back doors in case of visitors, etc.
Then it could control appliances, lights, door locks, garage doors, thermostats, timers, etc.
Then if it could cheer us up when we're sad or lonely...
Then....

[Freddy]

Surprised to see another like this. I wonder how many more devices are on the horizon.

To me it seems that for now this is only available in the US.

Makes me wonder how easy it would be to get a micro atx case and motherboard and build something like it.

[8pla.net]

Makes me wonder how easy it would be to get a micro atx case and motherboard and build something like it.

In theory,  building a rudimentary (but completely functional) prototype may prove particularly good to wonder about.

Here is an interesting article...

Raspberry Pi Voice Recognition Works Like Siri
http://blog.oscarliang.net/raspberry-pi-voice-recognition-works-like-siri/

[Art]

The Google microphone that can be found on most Android based smart phones can pretty much already perform all this and more. I think they simply took that voice rec technology and incorporated it in the cylinder with a microphone array, some speakers and as 8pla.net mentioned a small microprocessor. Hey, if it works, it works and this way you don't have to keep paying a monthly cell phone bill just to be able to talk to your "Google Brain".
 

[Don Patrick]

Now, if echo could only "See" us with an attached camera. It could use facial recognition to identify each speaker, keep an eye on the house, monitor the front and back doors in case of visitors, etc.
Then it could control appliances, lights, door locks, garage doors, thermostats, timers, etc.
Then if it could cheer us up when we're sad or lonely...
Then....

Are you sure you want an off-site controller capable of locking your doors and turning on the gas? 
I think voice recognition could identify the speakers as well, theoretically.

It's remarkable how little AI a virtual assistant needs to have. 95% of this device is a speaker for playing music, the rest is voice commands tied into Wikipedia and weather services. Through e-mail messages one might also use it to activate Belkin Wemo switches and control devices and lights. It seems really cool and I considered having my computer do that sort of thing, but really, the costs of device switches and cameras doesn't weigh up to the minor inconvenience of pressing buttons. Home automation is just not for me.

[Art]

I know where you're coming from, Don.

We have houses that are smarter than their human occupants,
Lawn mowers that mow by themselves,
Vacuums that vacuum unattended per schedule,
Cars that will soon, drive themselves.

I guess all we humans need do is show up and relax!

Your last comment about the switches reminded me of a remark by George Jetson
of the cartoon series, The Jetsons, "My button pushing finger is tired."