Cerence Inc., known for its leadership in in-vehicle conversational AI, is taking its voice technology beyond the dashboard. In an expanded partnership with Code Factory, Cerence AI has launched VoiceTopping—a plug-and-play solution that brings natural, spoken interaction to self-service kiosks across multiple industries. This marks a strategic pivot into new verticals such as restaurants, retail, transportation, banking, healthcare, and entertainment, transforming how users engage with kiosks in public settings.
VoiceTopping: AI-Powered Voice UX for Kiosks
Features:
- Embedded Voice Interaction: Users can speak to the kiosk, navigate options, and complete transactions without touching the screen.
- Noise Resilience: Cerence’s speech signal enhancement ensures accurate voice recognition, even in noisy environments.
- Accessibility-First: Enables a touchless experience, helping meet global accessibility regulations, including the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
- Easy Integration: Designed as a plug-and-play solution, requiring minimal hardware changes for kiosk manufacturers.
How It Works – Sample Interaction:
- Kiosk: “Hi, how can I help you today?”
- User: “Could I see the menu, please?”
- Kiosk: “Here you go!” (Displays menu)
- …
- User: “That’s everything – I’m ready to check out.”
- Kiosk: “Which payment method would you like to use?”
This seamless, voice-led experience mimics a real-world interaction with a human attendant
Leadership Commentary:
“Expanding our partnership with Code Factory to bring voice interaction to kiosks is a natural evolution,” said Brian Krzanich, CEO, Cerence AI. “Our automotive AI expertise translates perfectly to self-service environments.”
“VoiceTopping delivers more natural, human-like engagement,” added Melanie Endres, CEO of Code Factory. “It also gives kiosk providers a way to meet accessibility regulations with minimal technical overhead.”
Target Industries & Use Cases:
- Restaurants & Hospitality: Voice-powered ordering for faster service.
- Retail & Self-Checkout: Enhanced UX for touchless shopping.
- Banking & Finance: Secure, user-friendly customer service at ATMs and terminals.
- Healthcare & Transportation: Improved access for all users, including those with disabilities.
With VoiceTopping, Cerence AI and Code Factory are redefining the future of self-service interfaces by introducing intuitive, voice-first interactions. As global accessibility standards evolve, and users demand more humanized digital experiences, VoiceTopping positions Cerence at the forefront of AI-powered customer engagement in everyday public settings.
