Quentin has integrated Siri into his daily routine, relying on the voice assistant to control his home environment effortlessly. While some may view this as laziness, he appreciates the convenience it provides. The article explores the future of conversational technology, highlighting advancements in smart cars that respond to voice commands and can engage in dialogue. It also introduces innovative smart glasses that allow users to make calls, enjoy music, and identify objects, signaling a significant leap in personal technology.
Quentin’s Dependence on Siri: The Rise of Voice Assistants
For Quentin, Siri has become an indispensable part of his daily life. This innovative voice assistant from Apple allows him to express his desires aloud without lifting a finger. Some might label him as a bit lazy, but Quentin views it differently. “Turn on the buffet light,” he commands while nonchalantly walking through his living space. The thought of pressing a switch is simply not in his playbook. “Turn on the table light,” he adds, relying solely on voice commands. “I just have to say what I want, and it responds,” he beams. This compact device, powered by artificial intelligence, has turned into his closest companion. “So much so that when we’re visiting friends or even at work, we find ourselves wanting to say, ‘Siri, light.’ Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way,” Quentin chuckles.
From Cars to Glasses: The Future of Conversational Technology
The cost of setting up such a smart home environment can run into the hundreds of euros. But as technology evolves, could our voices one day control everything around us? This is already a reality in cars, as showcased by our team during a recent test. “You can ask it anything that pops into your mind,” says Philippe Houy, head of connected services at DS Automobiles. He demonstrates with a simple command: “Iris, I’m very hot.” Almost instantly, the vehicle adjusts the temperature down by 2°C. The interaction doesn’t stop at commands; thanks to artificial intelligence, the car can also engage in conversations—like answering, “What can I visit around here with my eight-year-old son while it’s raining?” The assistant suggests, “You can visit the Valley of the Wolf Park, a lovely spot for a stroll even in the rain, with areas for your child to explore.”
Conversing with a car offers significant benefits, such as minimizing distractions by keeping your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, as emphasized by Houy. But what if you could also chat with your eyewear? The final segment of our report unveils a remarkable innovation. “With these glasses, I can make calls, enjoy music, and even snap photos,” explains Théodore Sabran, General Director at Luxottica France. Equipped with a camera, microphones, and speakers, these smart glasses execute your requests seamlessly. “Meta, film,” Théodore instructs, clarifying, “I haven’t touched anything; my phone is stashed away in my pocket.” Remarkably, the images of our journalist in front of him are captured effortlessly.
These glasses also have the capability to comprehend your surroundings and answer a myriad of questions. “They can identify everything from the simplest objects to what that building is right in front of me. I can now amaze my kids by naming plants I didn’t even know existed, all thanks to this technology,” Théodore elaborates. This recognition function, already present in the United States, is set to roll out in France soon, with the frames priced at around 300 euros.