Square Pin Header Connector Series Square Pin Header Connector Series,Pin Connector,Square Pin Header Connector,Pin Header Connector Series Dongguan ZhiChuangXing Electronics Co., LTD , https://www.zcxelectronics.com
Why is smart speaker in China unable to rise?
China has made remarkable strides in the tech industry, particularly in areas like search engines (Baidu), e-commerce (Alibaba), and video streaming platforms (iQiyi). Yet, the smart speaker market remains relatively underdeveloped compared to Western counterparts such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. Bloomberg noted on July 16th that China lags behind in adopting smart speakers, despite significant progress elsewhere.
The domestic market for AI-powered audio devices is still in its early stages. According to Counterpoint Research, only around two million smart speakers are expected to enter the Chinese market this year, far fewer than the estimated 14 million in the U.S. Gartner analyst Tracy Tsai highlighted that the challenge lies in mastering natural language processing for Chinese, which remains less advanced. This limits the effectiveness of speech recognition, a crucial feature for smart speakers.
Yu Kai, founder of Horizon Robotics and a former leader at Baidu’s Deep Learning Institute, emphasized another factor: the lifestyle of many Chinese consumers. Busy schedules, especially among younger professionals, often leave little room for leisure activities like engaging with smart speakers. "People are consumed by work and commuting," he explained. "This raises doubts about whether smart speakers will truly catch on here."
Chinese consumers tend to favor portable devices like smartphones over stationary gadgets. Data shows that 70% of iQIYI's users access content via mobile phones or tablets, contrasting sharply with Netflix viewers who predominantly use televisions. Despite these preferences, tech giants are investing heavily in smart speaker development. Jingdong aims to produce one million units by year-end, while projections suggest China could see 22 million smart speaker sales by 2020.
Alibaba and Tencent have already launched voice-activated services, and Baidu showcased its smart speaker prototype at a recent AI expo. Questions like "What’s the weather like today?" were among the most common queries directed at the device. Meanwhile, Conexant Technologies collaborates with over 60 Chinese firms to enhance smart audio solutions.
Rather than standalone speakers, some believe AI integration might thrive within smart home ecosystems. Last year, Chinese buyers accounted for 65% of global smart home purchases, with predictions suggesting this figure will rise to 9.51 million units by 2020. Midea and Jingdong’s innovative fridges exemplify this trend, featuring built-in cameras and software capable of tracking stored items. Zhang Chen, CTO at Jingdong, remarked, "AI isn’t just about tech—it’s about embedding it seamlessly into everyday life."
While smart TVs remain popular, integrating AI into household appliances presents exciting opportunities. For instance, websites like Sofa Butler offer comprehensive resources related to smart TVs and boxes, fostering community engagement around connected living spaces. As AI continues evolving, its impact on daily routines will likely grow exponentially, reshaping how we interact with our environments.