April 28, 2026
Farewell to the "repeater" era: how AI voice intelligent control reshapes the competitiveness of intelligent hardware?
The evolution of smart hardware is essentially the evolution of the way it interacts
From physical buttons to touchscreens, from mobile apps to voice commands, the mediums through which humans communicate with machines have become lighter, thinner, and more intangible—each evolution in human-computer interaction redefines the relationship between devices and people.
The maturation of large AI models has propelled voice interaction from “command recognition” into the era of “intent understanding.”
Amid this trend, AI voice control technology is evolving from an optional feature into the core interaction gateway for smart hardware.
Evolution of Interaction:
From “Operating Devices” to “Conversational Devices”
Looking back at the history of smart hardware interaction, a clear trend emerges: interaction methods are constantly shifting toward greater naturalness and lower barriers to entry.
The Button Era: Users Adapt to the Device’s Operational Logic
The Touchscreen Era: Interfaces were more intuitive, but still required a certain learning curve
App-Based Remote Control: Overcoming spatial limitations, but increasing the number of steps required
Voice Interaction: Users Express Intent Directly Without Learning
The unique value of voice lies in: zero learning curve, no need for manual operation, and the ability to execute complex commands in a single step. It is not merely an added feature, but a mode of interaction that is closer to human instinct.
Hardware Ecosystem Transformation:
The Boundless Penetration of AI Voice Interaction
According to IDC forecasts, the penetration rate of large language models in smart devices will exceed 55% by 2026. On a broader scale, IDC also notes that shipments of traditional AI-enabled devices in the Chinese market will surpass 300 million units by 2026, with penetration rates exceeding 93% by 2027 and approaching 97% by 2029.
This means that from PCs and smartphones to various smart home devices, AI capabilities are becoming standard features rather than standout functions limited to a few products.
Voice, as the most direct human-machine interface, is rapidly permeating various hardware forms.
Smart Home: Expanding from speakers to whole-home devices such as lighting, air conditioning, and curtains, voice has become the unified control gateway.
Educational Hardware: Learning devices are evolving from one-way tools into interactive partners, supporting multi-round Q&A and oral practice.
Health and Senior-Friendly Devices: Lowering the barrier to use for the elderly, enabling health monitoring and emergency assistance through everyday voice commands.
In-Car Mobility: Hands-free operation enhances driving safety and convenience.
A clear industry consensus is emerging: AI voice capabilities are becoming a standard feature in smart hardware.
Diving into Typical Scenarios:
When "Light" Can Hear Your Thoughts
Among the many scenarios being reshaped by AI voice control, smart lighting is undoubtedly the most representative and the aspect closest to consumers’ daily lives.
In the past, competition among high-end lighting fixtures often centered on the panel design for “stepless dimming.”
However, it turns out that the vast majority of users lack professional optical knowledge. They don’t know what color temperature (in Kelvin) to set before bed to avoid disrupting melatonin secretion, so they can only adjust it blindly by eye.
For the new generation of lighting devices equipped with AI voice control technology, voice commands are no longer just a replacement for manually pressing a switch; they have become the “key” to triggering professional lighting environments. As part of a whole-home smart ecosystem, they can even integrate with devices like curtains and air conditioners.
Saying Goodbye to the "Repetitive Command" Era:
From Command Reception to Natural Language Interaction
Early voice control relied primarily on keyword matching, requiring users to recite pre-set, fixed commands (such as “Turn on the lights” or “Set to 3000K”). Devices executed commands rather than understanding needs.
The integration of large AI models has brought about a qualitative leap in voice interaction:
Intent Understanding: When a user says “It’s a bit dark,” the device automatically increases the brightness; when they say “I want to rest for a bit,” the lighting switches to sleep mode. The device focuses on “what you want,” not “what you said.”
Multi-turn conversations: Supports context awareness and sequential tasks. For example: “Set the lights to a mode suitable for reading, and remind me to take a break in 30 minutes.”
Scenario-Based Decision-Making: Voice commands trigger multi-device coordination. For example, saying “I want to watch a movie” automatically dims the lights, adjusts the color temperature, and closes the curtains.
Voice interaction is evolving from a tool for responding to commands into the intelligent hub of the device.
The evolution of smart hardware is, at its core, an evolution of interaction methods. AI voice control technology is becoming a pivotal point in this transformation—large AI models are making voice interaction truly natural and intelligent, serving as the most direct bridge between humans and smart hardware.
We believe that every smart device of the future should learn to “listen.”