Amazon Makes Echo's Voice Processing Technology Available to Device Makers
Amazon is making the far-field microphone array and voice processing technology found in Amazon Echo available to hardware manufacturers so they can build the Alexa experience into their products.
With the Amazon Alexa 7-Mic Far-Field Development Kit, Amazon iis enabling commercial developers to build and launch far-field voice-initiated products with Alexa.
"Since the introduction of Amazon Echo and Echo Dot, device makers have been asking us to provide the technology and tools to enable a far-field Alexa experience for their products," said Priya Abani, director of Amazon Alexa, in a statement. "With this new reference solution, developers can design products with the same unique seven-mic circular array, beamforming technology, and voice processing software that have made Amazon Echo so popular with customers. It's never been easier for device makers to integrate Alexa and offer their customers world-class voice experiences."
The hardware-based reference solution will be supported by leading chipset providers. The solution includes the following:
- The same seven-microphone array found in Amazon Echo;
- Amazon's proprietary software for wake word recognition, beamforming, noise reduction, and echo cancellation; and
- Reference client software for local device control and communication with the Alexa Voice Service.
The Amazon Alexa 7-Mic Far-Field Development Kit will be available to commercial device manufacturers through an exclusive, invite-only program.