Retail giant Amazon has announced a new method through which it wants to help third-party device makers use its Alexa artificial intelligence platform.
In a press release today, it announced the availability of what is dubbed the Amazon Alexa 7-Mic Far-Field Dev Kit. In essence, this allows device makers to take the same seven microphone far-field array and voice processing technology found in the Amazon Echo, and integrate the "Alexa experience" into their solutions.
Regarding this pack, Amazon goes on to state that:
The hardware-based reference solution will be supported by leading chipset providers. The solution includes:
The same 7-microphone array found in Amazon Echo
Amazon’s proprietary software for wake word recognition, beamforming, noise reduction, and echo cancellation
Reference client software for local device control and communication with the Alexa Voice Service
Amazon's move is especially interesting considering the inclusion of its Alexa voice assistant in select Ford vehicles starting this summer, as well as a possible voice calling service in future. It's nice to see hardware manufacturers are also getting enticed to use the platform, after the firm had done so with software devs back in mid-March.
The kit is available through an invite-only system, with OEMs able to request access and learn more about the solution by visiting this link.
