Apple has acquired artificial intelligence startup Voysis to improve Siri's performance when communicating with humans, according to Bloomberg.
Voysis provides a platform for digital voice assistants to better understand natural language. The company has worked to improve the voice assistant in online shopping applications so that the software can better interpret user requests.
The site, which is now closed due to the acquisition, said the technology uses customer databases and AI tools to deeply understand the specifics of products, services and vocabulary, making the user experience "easier, faster and more intuitive."
The Voysis platform allows customers to hone search requests through simple phrases such as "I need a new LED TV" or "Just show me 4K", shoppers can use voice to find what they are looking for, usually better than The input speed using such requests is 3 times faster.
It is believed that Apple may use Voysis technology to improve Siri's ability to understand natural language, or provide the Voysis platform to developers to improve the way Siri works with applications.
Apple confirmed the acquisition in an acquisition statement. "[Apple] from time to time will acquire some smaller technology companies, we generally do not discuss our purpose or plan."
In the past five years, Apple has acquired several AI startups, such as Xnor.ai, Turi, VocalIQ, Perceptio, Emotient, etc., to improve Siri and other AI-based products.