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Voice user interface
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<p>A voice-user interface (VUI) enables spoken human interaction with computers, using <a href="/facts/Speech_recognition/z7S7Pgk6">speech recognition</a> to understand <a href="/facts/Voice_command/z7S7Pgk6">spoken commands</a> and <a href="/facts/Question_answering/1gplmc6L">answer questions</a>, and typically <a href="/facts/Text_to_speech/ceTczTv9">text to speech</a> to play a reply. A voice command device is a device controlled with a voice user interface. </p><p>Voice user interfaces have been added to <a href="/facts/Automobile/I1IsH8IK">automobiles</a>, <a href="/facts/Home_automation/kfz6C07m">home automation</a> systems, computer <a href="/facts/Operating_system/8XTuvMh2">operating systems</a>, <a href="/facts/Home_appliance/JYKalzw6">home appliances</a> like <a href="/facts/Washing_machine/8Nr6modd">washing machines</a> and <a href="/facts/Microwave_oven/nS1B3wp2">microwave ovens</a>, and television <a href="/facts/Remote_control/A9zmkgIV">remote controls</a>. They are the primary way of interacting with <a href="/facts/Virtual_assistant/BuouwL2U">virtual assistants</a> on <a href="/facts/Smartphones/cSIrBMWG">smartphones</a> and <a href="/facts/Smart_speaker/S7DPuMB5">smart speakers</a>. Older <a href="/facts/Automated_attendant/xD5Pf6qq">automated attendants</a> (which route phone calls to the correct extension) and <a href="/facts/Interactive_voice_response/UJvnBdL7">interactive voice response</a> systems (which conduct more complicated transactions over the phone) can respond to the pressing of keypad buttons via <a href="/facts/DTMF/vg5vFo0X">DTMF</a> tones, but those with a full voice user interface allow callers to speak requests and responses without having to press any buttons. </p><p>Newer voice command devices are speaker-independent, so they can respond to multiple voices, regardless of accent or dialectal influences. They are also capable of responding to several commands at once, separating vocal messages, and providing appropriate <a href="/facts/Feedback/XnuWH3zp">feedback</a>, accurately imitating a natural conversation. </p>