Learn below how to give a Voice Command to Vector, how to ask him a question and how to communicate with him in other ways. Vector is currently monolingual and can only understand English.
Vector detects || Talking to Vector || Voice Commands || Vector Q&A: Ask Vector a question || Turning off voice detection
Vector detects
- Vector’s 4 microphone array uses beamforming to detect directional sound and background sound, though he does filter out some background sound
- He may react differently depending on if he is awake or asleep, whether you use a “trigger word” to get his attention, or if he is startled
- For best results, always put Vector down on a hard, flat surface (and not in his Space) before speaking to him
Talking to Vector
Voice Commands
Get Vector’s attention to give him a Voice Command - telling him to do something:
- Say “Hey Vector!” This is his “Wake Word”
- Wait for his Back lights to turn blue and he will “ding” his earcon. This confirms you have his attention and he is ready to accept a Voice Command
- Give Vector a command e.g. “Come here!”
Give Vector a “Utilities” Voice Command e.g. asking what time it is, asking what the weather is, setting a timer:
- Utilities use local preferences from your device settings and information you input into the app during setup such as location and time zone
- You still need to get Vector’s attention with the Wake Word “Hey Vector” and wait for the ding and his Back Lights to turn blue
- Say, “Hey Vector, what’s the weather?” Vector’s answer is based on the location in your app settings
- Note: you can also ask Vector the weather in Vector Q&A (see below) but you will need to specify a location for him to look up
To learn more about what Commands you can give, take a look at “Things to Try” in the Vector companion app
If you encounter any issues using Voice Commands, see this FAQ for tips and troubleshooting
Vector Q&A: Ask Vector a question
Asking Vector a question uses a specific provider, available in American English only.
- Get Vector’s attention using one of the following two triggers:
- “Hey Vector, I have a question”
- “Hey Vector, look up a question for me”
- Vector will show he understood by displaying the above icon
- When he is ready to be asked, he will tell you, “Ready”
- Ask Vector a question – the more specific you are, the more likely he is to answer your question e.g. “What will the weather be like in London on Saturday on Saturday in degrees celsius”
- If the question has multiple answers, he may give the answer that is first alphabetically
- If Vector didn’t detect or understand your question you will have to start again with “Hey Vector, I have a question”
Take a look at Vector Q&A in “Things to Try” in the Vector companion app to learn more about it.
If you encounter any issues using Vector Q&A, see this FAQ for tips and troubleshooting.
Turning off voice detection
- You can mute or unmute Vector’s microphone array so that he can’t hear any voice commands by double-clicking his Back Button - he must be off his Charger. Vector will display a “Mic Mute” icon on his face for a brief moment
- While Vector’s mic is muted, his Back Lights are red. Vector will stay muted until you unmute him
- To unmute Vector’s mic, just double tap his Back button again while he’s off his Charger You can tell he’s unmuted, you will see a “Mic Unmute” icon on his face
- For more information on what Vector’s Back Lights mean, please see this FAQ
- For further information on Vector and privacy, please refer to this FAQ