Emerson SmartVoice technology. Maria Diaz/ZDNET
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ZDNET's key takeaways
Emerson launched its SmartVoice technology at CES 2026.
SmartVoice devices don't require Wi-Fi or a hub; instead, they use on-device voice control.
The product line includes tower fans, heaters, air fryers, and electrical plugs.
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.
Emerson's SmartVoice line of products enables you to control these devices with just your voice, eliminating the need for Wi-Fi or a hub and, with it, the risk of cyber attacks. 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 technology may sound rather mundane, I was very impressed with the SmartVoice approach. 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 -- and the associated privacy risks -- into your home.
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