The booming voice user interface (VUI) design is gradually becoming advanced and popular these days. Personal digital assistants like Amazon's Alexa, Apple's Siri, Google Now, and Microsoft's Cortana are steadily progressing to become the best voice assistant available in the market.
Since the launch of Echo, Amazon's voice assistant in December 2014, to date approximately 8.2 million devices have been sold, and the return of voice search continues to gain momentum . MindMeld's 2016 Internet Trends Report shows that 60% of people started using voice search in the past year, and in the past six months, 41% of people have started.
A BCC research prediction claims that at an annual growth rate of 12.1%, the global voice recognition technology market of $ 104.4 billion in 2016 will grow to $ 184.9 billion in 2021.
This wave is fueled by technological advancements and deep learning, which allow developers to create exceptionally accurate systems for tasks such as speech recognition, language analysis and images.
Microsoft, in 2016, announced that its most recent speech recognition system had achieved equivalence with human transcriptionists to identify human speech.
The pace at which voice technology evolves is changing the way we interact with our devices. Yet, several common UX design methods are still in practice - which includes user research, character creation, user flows, prototyping, usability testing, and iterative design - some differences for interfaces. user voices should be noted.
If you're planning on starting your first voice UI design project, here are five essential tips that will help you through it:
Conversational - Talking vs Typing
It is essential to ensure that a voice user interface recognizes natural speech and must accept a wide range of diverse inputs.
Typing and speaking the same thing is different, use a few keywords instead, use full sentences or questions.
Visualize your Sunday morning when you type "nearby brunch" on your phone. A list of all relevant locations will appear on your screen. But, when we communicate with a voice service, you're more likely to ask in a way like "Alexa, what are the best places for brunch nearby?"
Make sure the machines are able to recognize and respond to thousands of different commands just to be successful.
Make recognition intuitive
No one likes to learn a hundred commands to perform specific tasks. Be careful not to create a system that is complex, unfriendly, and takes too long to become familiar.
Machines need to be able to remember us and become more productive with each use.
Suppose you ask your device for directions, which is like saying:
"Alexa, can you give me the route back home."
"Of course, where is your house?"
"You know where my house is!"
"I'm sorry, you'll have to repeat that."
This scene creates a disappointing user experience that is neither satisfying nor successful.
However, if the system had kept information about your home address, a list of all directions would have been provided quickly. Perhaps a brief voice response with a visual element like a map and directions. Providing an experience like this is quickly rewarding and satisfying. Intuitive design, such as with GUI or graphical user interfaces, needs to be done properly by designers.
Approach - Analyze what users need
Two essential things that make voice interactions successful are the device that recognizes the person speaking and the speaker who understands the device. Designers should always recognize potential speech checks, hearing impairments, and anything that can influence the interaction, such as intellectual impairment. Even the language, accent or tone of voice affects how the device interprets them.
As a designer, you need to know where and how to use design and voice so that anyone can use them, regardless of how they speak or listen.
Consider the user's environment
Saying something on your phone with a loud, busy train in the background is an example, why it's necessary to recognize how different conditions influence the type of interface you've designed. If the primary application is driving, then this is a great choice - users' hands and eyes are busy, but their voices and ears are not. If you are using the app somewhere in a noisy place, it is best to ask on a visual interface, as the surrounding noise makes speech recognition and hearing more difficult.
If the usability of your app is both at home and on public transport, providing an option to switch between a voice and visual interface is essential.
Feedback - two-way interaction
In a normal conversation, letting another know that he / she is interested in a conversation by nodding, smiling and making other gestures. Likewise, it must be delivered to users who interact with your machine. It is essential to respect this with your design, so that the user grasps that their device is on and pays attention to it.
The system should always inform users of what is going on. In addition, it is essential to consider how your user will understand the system to be conscious in a non-invasive manner. You can present it with sound effect or flashlight according to your choice.