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Home Assistant has launched the 'Voice Preview Edition', a $59 hardware device designed for local, privacy-focused voice control of smart homes. The device, a small box, utilizes an ESP32-S3 chip and an XMOS XU316 audio processor to process voice commands offline, eliminating the need for internet connectivity. Users can also set custom wake words like “Hey Jarvis,” giving them more control.

The Voice Preview Edition features a dual microphone array, an internal speaker, a 3.5mm audio jack and a Grove port for additional sensors. While it can process speech locally on powerful hardware, lower-end systems like Raspberry Pi 4 may need a cloud subscription for optimal performance. The device, aimed at those comfortable with technical setups, integrates seamlessly with existing Home Assistant configurations, allowing users to control their smart home devices, scenes and automations.

References:

• @geerlingguy - Home Assistant released 'Voice Preview Edition' today— a $59 hardware voice assistant — but will I actually use it? - 2d
• @arstechnica - Home Assistant’s Voice Preview Edition is a little box with big privacy powers Home Assistant's voice device is a $60 box that's both focused and private. - 2d
• CNX Software - $59 Voice “Preview Edition” adds an offline smart speaker to your Home Assistant server - 2d
• Ars Technica - Home Assistant’s Voice Preview Edition is a little box with big privacy powers Home Assistant's voice device is a $60 box that's both focused and private. - 1d

Classification:

• HashTags: HomeAssistant SmartHome VoiceAssistant
• Company: Home Assistant
• Target: Home Users
• Product: Voice Preview Edition
• Feature: Voice Assistant
• Type: ProductUpdate
• Severity: Informative