Emerson SmartVoice technology. Maria Diaz/ZDNET
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Emerson just launched its SmartVoice technology at CES 2026.
Smart home devices using SmartVoice don't require Wi-Fi or a hub to function; instead, they utilize on-device voice control.
Each device features a built-in microphone, in addition to its buttons, and a speaker to respond to your commands.
While smart home devices are a major focus of CES, most of the tech we see often follows a pre-established pattern of requiring a hub or Wi-Fi to utilize its features. Emerson, an American electronics company, just launched a new line of smart home devices that does something different.
The SmartVoice line of products enables you to control your Emerson devices with just your voice, eliminating the need for Wi-Fi or a hub. These products feature on-device voice control, which includes a built-in microphone and speaker that respond to a wake word and a preset list of prompts.
Also: CES 2026 live: Biggest news & weirdest gadgets
Although this may sound a bit plain, I was very impressed with the SmartVoice technology. Many dumb devices, such as fans, lamps, and space heaters, come with small remote controls that often get lost. SmartVoice lets you control them by talking to them, without bringing Alexa, Siri, or Google Gemini into your home.
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