MSC Cruises has created what it says is the cruise industry’s
first voice-enabled smart speaker.
The artificial intelligence-powered assistants will debut in
the MSC Bellissima, a new ship scheduled to be ready for service in March 2019.
MSC developed them in partnership with Harman International, a subsidiary of
Samsung.
Passengers will be able to speak to the device to get
answers to questions such as show times and journey updates or to play music in
their cabin. And the AI capability will enable it to learn users’ preferences so
it can provide suggestions tailored to their needs.
“This is another example of how we are continuously
innovating to better serve the needs of not only the cruise guests of today but
also those of the future, as we continue to shape the future of the cruise
vacation,” says Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises.
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MSC says the technology has been designed as a “ship-based
solution,” rather than relying on cloud-based programs with internet-connected devices
or applications.
The devices will be able to understand seven languages:
English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Brazilian Portuguese and Mandarin.
These voice assistants are a new feature of MSC for Me, the
company’s digital innovation program that includes the MSC for ME app, interactive
wristbands that provide cabin access and wayfinding and a beacon-based system
to provide geo-located suggestions.
MSC plans to install the voice assistants on all future
ships and to add them to the existing fleet.