Russian voice user interface attracts international funds
Api.ai enables third-party developers to apply voice user interfaces to their own solutions, for example, to control ‘smart house’ elements
Sep 10, 2015
Russian start-up Api.ai, developing technology to integrate a voice user interface (VUI) into various gadgets and apps and offering it to third-party developers, has raised $3m for further development from an international investor consortium, the Skolkovo Foundation website reported.
This investment round was reportedly led by SAIC Capital, a fund owned by SAIC Motor, a Chinese car manufacturer. Intel Capital, Alpine Technology Fund and Motorola Solutions Venture Capital joined as co-investors.
Api.ai’s business is built around technology developed in partnership with Speaktoit, another Russian start-up and a resident of the Skolkovo innovation hub under construction just outside Moscow. Speaktoit started by focusing on VUIs for mobile apps; in September 2014, it moved to focus on the "Internet of Things" (IoT) and launched in Silicon Valley its start-up called Api.ai.
Api.ai enables third-party developers to apply voice user interfaces to their own solutions, for example, to control ‘smart house’ elements.
With the new investment, the team can now offer developers its API for free. Api.ai is said to be changing its business model to focus on big customers, working with those on a tech licensing basis.
According to Api.ai CEO Ilya Gelfenbein, his team will continue to upgrade its natural language interface and work on improving dialogs with the user. The technology is based in machine learning, therefore the involvement of third-party developers is very helpful to the evolution of the product, the CEO believes: the more data the system receives, the better it will be able to respond to user queries.
More than 8,500 developers are reported to be currently using Api.ai to add VUIs to their apps. The team will be focused on development in international markets. Mr. Gelfenbein said.
This investment round was reportedly led by SAIC Capital, a fund owned by SAIC Motor, a Chinese car manufacturer. Intel Capital, Alpine Technology Fund and Motorola Solutions Venture Capital joined as co-investors.
Api.ai’s business is built around technology developed in partnership with Speaktoit, another Russian start-up and a resident of the Skolkovo innovation hub under construction just outside Moscow. Speaktoit started by focusing on VUIs for mobile apps; in September 2014, it moved to focus on the "Internet of Things" (IoT) and launched in Silicon Valley its start-up called Api.ai.
Api.ai enables third-party developers to apply voice user interfaces to their own solutions, for example, to control ‘smart house’ elements.
With the new investment, the team can now offer developers its API for free. Api.ai is said to be changing its business model to focus on big customers, working with those on a tech licensing basis.
According to Api.ai CEO Ilya Gelfenbein, his team will continue to upgrade its natural language interface and work on improving dialogs with the user. The technology is based in machine learning, therefore the involvement of third-party developers is very helpful to the evolution of the product, the CEO believes: the more data the system receives, the better it will be able to respond to user queries.
More than 8,500 developers are reported to be currently using Api.ai to add VUIs to their apps. The team will be focused on development in international markets. Mr. Gelfenbein said.