Google Opens Up Voice Assistant API
- Monday, December 12th, 2016
- Share this article:
Google has released the API for Google Assistant, its voice-based digital assistant, to developers, enabling them to integrate their own services with the natural-language interface.
Google Assistant is best known as the software powering the Google Home, the companys smart speaker home hub, and rival to Amazon Echo, but the same software is also found in the search giants new Pixel phone and the Google Allo messaging app.
Actions on Google aims to give the assistant the ability to connect across apps and services, and create an ecosystem of diverse abilities and functions that will encourage consumers to adopt Google Assistant as a central method of interaction.
The API was previewed in October, but the new official release adds Conversation Actions to the capabilities, enabling developers to engage users to deliver information, services and assistance in a natural-language format.
Google has worked with a number of development partners, including conversational interaction development tools API.AI and Gupshup, analytics tools DashBot and VoiceLabs, and consulting companies Assist, Witlingo, Spoken Layer and Notify.IO in the process of creating Actions on Google, all with the aim of creating a smooth, straightforward development experience.
Initially, the API will be quite limited, but Google has plans to expand over time, bringing in integrations with the Pixel and Allo, as well as supporting purchases and bookings, for voice-driven commerce.