# 178: Alexa Stop

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2016-12-07
- Length: 1h 09m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-12-07-178-alexa-stop
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/178-alexa-stop

## Summary

Chris Maury, founder of Conversant Labs, discusses the design and engineering of voice-based applications, contrasting the natural language understanding of Alexa and Google Assistant with Siri's limitations. He explains the critical role of user testing in collecting diverse utterances for intent recognition and introduces TinCan.ai as a prototyping tool for non-visual interfaces. Maury also addresses the challenges of on-device speech recognition, privacy concerns, and the future of voice computing for developers and the visually impaired.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-12-07-178-alexa-stop#t=0) Introduction and Lightning Round
- [5:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-12-07-178-alexa-stop#t=322) Speech vs. Voice Recognition and Platform Comparison
- [14:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-12-07-178-alexa-stop#t=867) Natural Language Understanding and Intent Complexity
- [27:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-12-07-178-alexa-stop#t=1627) Designing Voice Apps: Prototyping and User Testing
- [39:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-12-07-178-alexa-stop#t=2390) On-Device Speech Recognition and Hardware Constraints
- [48:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-12-07-178-alexa-stop#t=2883) Privacy, Accessibility, and Future of Voice Computing

## Topics

- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Conversant Labs (company)
- TinCan.ai (product)
- Amazon Echo (product)
- Siri (product)
- Google Assistant (product)
- Pocket Sphinx (tool)
- EasyVR (product)
- Grove Speech Recognizer (product)
- Ottomate (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Implementing Voice Control in IoT | Speak To IoT's Biren Gandhi](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2021-08-23-implementing-voice-control-in-iot-speak-to-iots-biren-gandhi) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [Building Real-Time Voice AI Experiences | Agora's Patrick Ferriter | Internet of Things Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2026-10-06-building-real-time-voice-ai-experiences-agoras-patrick-ferriter-internet-of-thin) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [Meet The HIBT Fellows: Pierre Paul & Toby Egbuna](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-05-11-meet-the-hibt-fellows-pierre-paul-toby-egbuna) (How I Built This)
- [AI that can be your second brain with Bethany Bongiorno and Imran Chaudhri of Humane](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-03-14-ai-that-can-be-your-second-brain-with-bethany-bongiorno-and-imran-chaudhri-of-hu) (How I Built This)
- [Can AI Design IoT Hardware? | Flux's Matthias Wagner | Internet of Things Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2026-04-14-can-ai-design-iot-hardware-fluxs-matthias-wagner-internet-of-things-podcast) (IoT For All Podcast)

## Citing this page

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