IBM's Watson Internet of Things (IoT) unit has teamed with audio giant Harman's Professional Solutions group to create an adaptive artificial intelligence service that can act as an "in-room cognitive concierge." In less tech-jargon, that's an AI able to respond to voice commands and questions based specifically on the context of the room its sensor is located in. The technology is currently being demonstrated as a cognitive conference room assistant, and it's already in use as a patient concierge in hospital rooms. Soon, this cognitive room capability could find its way into hotel rooms, cruise ship cabins, and other corporate spaces. Called Voice-Enabled Cognitive Rooms, the technology uses IBM's Watson IoT application programming interfaces and cognitive computing service paired with Harman AKG microphones, JBL speakers, and control and switching systems from Harman subsidiary AMX.

The day is now here when people can gather inside a conference room for a meeting and not have to worry when someone asks a question to which no one knows the answer. All someone will have to do is ask the room itself, because it will dig up the answer for everybody within a few seconds. The adage "if these walls could speak," is coming true in the most literal sense. This is exactly what IBM Watson and several of its partners have done with its new Voice-Enabled Cognitive Rooms, starting with the first use case at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia that was announced April 19. Patients there now interact with in-room speakers that are connected to the IBM Watson IoT Platform and can easily control their in-room subsystems (windows, lights, temperature settings) without having to physically perform any manual tasks or try to figure out new systems. For conference rooms, IBM's cognitive intelligence apps are embedded into Harman microphone soundbars and alarm clocks with other form factors being developed, so that users can interact by using natural language.

HARMAN participated at IBM's World of Watson event in Las Vegas to announce how we are integrating the cognitive technology capabilities of IBM Watson with HARMAN's powerful enterprise IOT solutions. Drawing on our extensive enterprise IOT solutions, HARMAN is providing the'central nervous system' to the IBM Watson'brain' for more intuitive, connected experiences in healthcare, hospitality and corporate settings. The result: voice enabled cognitive rooms by HARMAN. Mohit Parasher, executive vice president and president, Professional Solutions at HARMAN, participated on stage to discuss how HARMAN and IBM successfully tested a prototype voice-activated JBL speaker solution at Thomson Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia that allows patients to control their environment directly and answer questions with the goal of improving patient experiences and care. Eighty percent of physicians describe themselves as overextended or at capacity.