Chipset Maker Bows Low-Power Alexa Kit to Fast-Track Voice-Based CE Devices

A low-power development kit from DSP Group promises improved far-field speech accuracy for Amazon’s Alexa Voice Service. DSP’s HDClear three-mic development kit, including the company’s audio/voice processor and voice enhancement processing technology, is billed as a low-power, quick-to-market system for smart speakers, wearable computing devices, smart home devices and remote controls. The kit’s main components include a printed circuit board with audio processor, Raspberry Pi and a three-mic array, with pre-process noise-reduction, beamforming and acoustic echo cancellation algorithms for enhanced voice accuracy, said the company. Calling the move to voice user interfaces a “sea-change” in how users control electronic devices, DSP Group CEO Ofer Elyakim said original equipment and original device manufacturers can “literally pick up our development kit, plug it in and begin using it to create richly featured acoustic front-ends for Amazon AVS devices," while conserving board space and battery life.