The Future of Tech is Voice and Gesture Controls
by Sheetal Jaitly, CEO, TribalScale
Today, the advancements in technology have led to numerous inventions that weren’t even remotely anticipated in the last decade. With gestures and voice controls, smart devices are offering features that are not available through any other platform. If you think a keyboard and mouse is the only way to communicate with a computer system, you’re really behind on the times!
With the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, everyone is being extra cautious and practicing social-distancing. Voice and gesture capabilities in tech can come in handy to improve our everyday quality of life. People are trying not to touch Bank ATMS, self-checking screens, or self-order screens in restaurants. Such advancements give customers what they want, minus the unnecessary physical contact. Let’s see some examples:
Voice Capabilities
Let’s talk about voice control. It’s becoming increasingly popular, particularly through platforms like Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant and Cortana. Touchless technologies have also penetrated our lives in the shape of smart cars, online customer support, virtual assistants, smart homes and augmented reality games. These gesture and voice controls are undoubtedly a strong influence on the future of automations.
Looking at the larger picture, now is the perfect time for companies to invest in this tech and drive up their profits. Big corporations should start working for the development of an intelligent voice control system that can easily be replaced with human operators. With the right team, you can create the perfect Voice User Interface (VUI) too.
The VUI is useful in gathering user information and evaluating the data to provide thoughtful insights for improving user experience and reshaping the campaigns to fit the user needs perfectly. It could also unlock further up-sell/cross-sell opportunities that you would never be able to get through clicks or touches. The development can also play a vital role in security agencies, helping them innovate and think outside the box to provide the best possible service; especially with the facial recognition and motion sensing technology that has taken security to the next level.
Given the rise in its popularity, the touchless sensing market is projected to reach a staggering USD 15.3 billion in 2025 from USD 6.8 billion in 2020 at a CAGR of 17.4%. This will escalate demand for touchless sensing technologies in smartphones, and touchless biometric solutions with upgraded tracking and controlling functionalities — which will create opportunities for the market.
Gesture Controls
New Android powered phones already come packed with features for Gesture Controls. I believe it won’t be much time before larger companies follow suit. Gamers utilizing joysticks, virtual reality headsets, and even some car-manufacturers are taking advantage of this new horizon of technology. Basic gesture controls can improve user experience ten fold. Adjusting music volume and answering or placing a phone call while driving can be as simple as waving a hand. My point is, there is a large market available at our fingertips. Post COVID-19, users will be relying on tech companies to pave the way.
One contactless approach that I think we urgently need today is touchless capabilities for banking technology, specifically, ATMs. An example of contactless engagement with an ATM could be using a voice-controlled banking app to complete a transaction — rather than touching machine buttons. Even the ability to scan an image on an ATM screen and having that image communicate with your phone can save minutes of contact. Scanning passports or checking baggage in airports will be deemed especially useful once the travel industry opens back up. Everyone will be searching for companies that can give their customers a guaranteed safer way to fly. And that’s just one industry example. Think of the countless others.
Across industries, voice and gesture controls will lead the way in the cming months, years, and decades following COVID-19, as our society re-invents safer and smarter ways to live life. It’s a future that’s already here.
For more information on voice and gesture controls, click here to speak to one of our experts.
Sheetal is a passionate advocate for Digital Transformation and Global Innovation. He’s led multiple digital transformation initiatives with companies spanning all different industries, including entire re-designs and creations of digital user platforms. Besides being an avid investor and supporter of digital technology companies, Sheetal is a board member of Feed Ontario, a member of Tech4SickKids Council, DMZ, and TechStars Mentor.
TribalScale is a global innovation firm that helps enterprises adapt and thrive in the digital era. We transform teams and processes, build best-in-class digital products, and create disruptive startups. Learn more about us on our website. Connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn & Facebook!
