Voice-activated technology in sensory and consumer research: a new frontier

As augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have become the new elements in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, voice-activated technology is playing a significant role in enhancing the overall quality of the virtual experiences. In this chapter, we first review the history of voice-activated technology and the core concepts behind it. Then, we explore the application of smart-speakers, an extension of voice-activated technology, to sensory and consumer science. We will also discuss the advantages of and challenges to using smart speakers in their current format. Finally, we use a case study to demonstrate the application of smart-speakers to consumer research.