Google
has announced an investment programme for early-stage startups to
boost its digital assistant ecosystem, which will include mentoring
and partnership initiatives, according to reports by Mobile World
Live.
“We’re
welcoming companies across a diverse range of fields, including
startups that are developing technologies that broaden the
Assistant’s set of features, or are building new hardware devices
for digital assistants,” the search giant said in a blog post.
Google
will provide investment capital to provide financial resources for
the development, hiring, and management of these startups, plus give
them access to advice from Google engineers, product managers, and
design experts.
The
idea is that a partnership programme will enable startups to
bring their products to market more quickly.
Google
is already working with four companies to help them “succeed in the
Assistant ecosystem”. These are GoMoment, a concierge service for
hotel guests; Edwin, an English tutor powered by AI; BotSociety, a
tool that lets developers design and test voice interfaces; and Pulse
Labs, whch helps designers understand what their user wants to do.
Google
didn’t disclose how much the investments are worth but the
company’s VP for search and Google Assistant Nick Fox
told TechCrunch:
“We’ll
invest as much as we see fit,” adding that the company is looking
for startups that are “pursuing an interesting space for
Assistants, such as vertical industries like travel or gaming.”
The
internet giant faces competition from Amazon and Apple as they invest
in smart search devices with voice assistants such as speakers.
Earlier
this week, Amazon detailed plans to double the workforce at its
Boston technology hub, beginning with the intake of new staff to beef
up the capabilities of its Alexa voice assistant.
Last
month Google CEO Sundar Pichai said the company is working on the
next evolution of Google Assistant, which will involve helping users
complete tasks rather than just supplying them with information.
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