Next summer, when the heat wave invades, just ask Alexa to turn on your AC. Tata-owned Voltas has announced the launch of smart ACs that can be controlled using simple voice commands from Amazon Alexa. Expecting a flurry of sales in the upcoming festive season, this new range, including the Voltas inverter split AC and Voltas split AC, is available only on Amazon right now.
These smart ACs can be controlled via Amazon Echo smart speakers and other Alexa-enabled devices such as Harman Kardon Allure, as well as the Alexa app for iOS and Android smartphones. Users can also enable them from the Alexa app by just asking Alexa to discover new devices to get started. All a user has to do is say, “Alexa, turn on the AC” or “Alexa, set AC to 23 degrees”, to turn their AC on and off and change the temperature, hands-free.
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Commenting on the launch, Pradeep Bakshi, managing director and CEO of Voltas, said, “Voltas has always been at the forefront of innovation and launching new technologies in the AC industry. Be it the launch of Wi-Fi-enabled ACs or window inverter ACs, Voltas has always kept its promise of delighting customers. Consumers are increasingly looking for smart features facilitating convenience, and our partnership with Amazon (Alexa) is a step in this direction. The launch of India’s first voice-controlled AC is a unique development and a first for the Indian AC industry.”
In addition, users can control the AC through the Voltas smart AC app for smartphones through a Wi-Fi connection. Using the app, users can avail access to a many other features such as changing modes based on weather conditions, switching on the timer function, and setting the fan speed based on their comfort level.
Dilip RS, country manager for Alexa Skills, Amazon India, said, “We believe smart home and Alexa is the future of how you interact and control your devices in your home. With the introduction of smart ACs by Voltas and hands-free voice control with Alexa, customers can experience that a smart home is not as complicated as many people once thought. We encourage more users to give this a try and experience the magic of voice control.”
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As the world moves towards an Internet-of-Things or IoT-driven economy and society, Indian consumers too have started demanding IoT products for more comfort. According to NASSCOM, the IoT market in India is expected to reach USD 15 billion by 2020.
The National IoT Survey Report by Tata Communications found the nature and speed at which IoT developments will be realised in India. “To co-create a sustainable and lasting impact, the higher the awareness of the technologies at hand, the greater the chance that end consumers will be able to enjoy them and custom-shape their everyday lives in significant ways,” it says.
