PDF of this tutorialDefinition
A conversational voice user interface (VUI) is a way that a speech-recognition system can interact with a user in the same way that a person naturally communicates with other people on a daily basis. Issues such as how to change topics, speaking in phrases, and feedback are all handled in a natural and intuitive manner with a conversational VUI–based application.
Tutorial Overview
In the increasingly competitive market for telecommunications services, operators are realizing that emphasis on the user experience is key to driving revenues and strengthening bonds with subscribers. Providing voice access to applications is one step in the development of a truly multimodal user experience—the user's ability to choose his or her preferred method of interaction regardless of how the content was created. With multimodal services, subscribers can choose whether they are most comfortable with listening to or viewing on screen, voice-mail, e-mail, faxes, or short messages and responding via touch-tone, voice-control, or key-click navigation.
This tutorial discusses the importance of implementing a conversational VUI as part of a voice portal, as well as the challenges involved in developing natural speech-recognition engines and the issues to consider when selecting a voice user interface.
