Amazon’s Lab126, an American research, development & computer hardware group and Alexa Voice Service (AVS), virtual assistant developed by Amazon, are working on a voice-activated wearable gadget capable of detecting emotional state. The device is expected to be paired with a smartphone and will use microphones to identify varied emotions from the user’s voice. The device will eventually be offering suggestions, on how to better interact with other people, reports source.
For the record, Amazon previously showed interest in the health sector with a deal of $753 million to buy the online pharmacy, PillPack.
As per credible sources, the gadget is anticipated to be a health and wellness product, which signals another big leap by a major tech company into the health sector. The Alexa team that created Amazon’s smart speakers had been working with the group on the project.
Reportedly, a beta-test is underway, though it is unclear what this test is related to, the hardware or the software, that is supposed to detect emotions or maybe both. According to sources close to the matter, this can simply turn out to be an experiment and would never become a commercial product available on Amazon’s storefront.
The company have given out details of a 2017 patent system, that uses patterns of voice to track emotional state of someone and which could further be used to tailor suggestions, as required. The wrist-worn band is anticipated to use this technology along with the system that separates the user’s voice from background noise, cites source.
It is one of the many hardware projects Amazon is working on that might expand its Alexa-infused product line. Reportedly, it has also been claimed that Amazon is developing AirPod style wireless earbuds, with built-in voice assistant.
It remains a question whether people would accept a device that monitors human moods. The retail giant has confirmed that the employees listen to Alexa recordings to aid enhance the voice-assistant’s accuracy, but there can be privacy concerns.
Source credits: https://www.engadget.com/2019/05/23/amazon-emotion-sensing-device-alexa/
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/23/amazon-is-reportedly-working-on-wearables-that-can-read-your-emotions.html
