Voice technology is still a nascent field, and one with lots of development yet to be made. A new joint effort from multiple tech operations aims to improve how customers can navigate using multiple voice services. The Voice Interoperability Initiative includes a range of businesses, including the creators of voice assistants, back-end hardware platforms, telecoms, and entertainment platforms.

The initiative set out four priorities, as laid out in a press release from Amazon:

• Developing voice services that can work seamlessly with others, while protecting the privacy and security of customers
• Building voice-enabled devices that promote choice and flexibility through multiple, simultaneous wake words
• Releasing technologies and solutions that make it easier to integrate multiple voice services on a single product
• Accelerating machine learning and conversational AI research to improve the breadth, quality and interoperability of voice services

Participants in this program include Amazon, Baidu, BMW, Bose, Cerence, ecobee, Free, Harman, Intel, Linkplay, Logitech, Microsoft, Orange, Qualcomm Technologies, Salesforce, Sonos, Sound United, Sony Audio Group, Spotify, StreamUnlimited, Tencent, and Verizon.