Siri the mobile travel agent [VIDEO]

January 17, 2012 By Kevin May 7 Comments

Ever since Apple acquired virtual assistant technology Siri in early-2010, adding voice-activated travel search to mobiles has gained momentum as a concept.

And now with Siri included as part of the latest Apple iPhone, some applications are emerging, including a system developed by social travel booking startup Bonvoy.

In this clip, Bonvoy founder and CEO Mujteba Naqvi demonstrates how the system works, including integration into the existing Bonvoy search and booking system.

The idea mirrors in part the winning entry to THack London in February 2011, developed by SITA Lab, using voice recognition on a Android mobile device.

Filed Under: Mobile Tagged With: app, bonvoy, booking, facebook, siri, travel agent, voice activate, voice recognition

About Kevin May

Kevin May is editor of Tnooz. He joined as a co-founder in August 2009 after spending nearly four years as editor of UK-based business publication Travolution.

Passionate about the business of travel and the internet, Kevin played a major role in establishing Travolution in print, online, events and with an annual awards programme, as well as becoming a regular speaker and moderator at industry events.

Prior to Travolution, Kevin was web editor at Media Week (UK) and also worked in regional newspapers for two years at the Essex Enquirer. He started his career in journalism at the Police Gazette at New Scotland Yard in London.

Comments

Martin Soler says:

January 17, 2012 at 10:27 am

This is a great way to book flights or hotels but it really needs much more integration in Siri, it seems like a lot of back and forth. However the idea of searching like this is so much more comfortable than a Google search.

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Bobby Healy says:

January 17, 2012 at 10:58 am

Kevin O Sullivan of SITA built something like this last year…not exactly a new idea – but fun to see. I’d seriously question the viability of it as a serious distribution channel for travel though.

http://www.sita.aero/content/sita-lab-voice-activated-travel-app-wins-gold-medal

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- Kevin May says:
  
  January 17, 2012 at 1:08 pm
  
  @bobby – hey, yes, we referenced Kevin’s app in the story
  
  Reply
- Kevin O'Sullivan says:
  
  January 18, 2012 at 8:18 am
  
  Speech is just a toy for the time being. It’s great to see this hacked onto Siri, but not very practical for managing complex booking process. Touch is still the key interface to smartphones – they are personal devices and speech is not discrete enough (try arranging a clandestine rendezvous in the office with Siri).
  
  However, where Speech will come into its own is at home on next generation Smart TVs. Gesture recognition will also be important (a la Microsoft Kinect). Sit back, relax and tell your TV what to do.
  
  Reply
  - Daniel says:
    
    January 19, 2012 at 6:44 am
    
    I agree on the evolution of TVs. I am looking forward to apple’s take on that.
    
    But Speech a toy and not discrete enough? I was under the impression a phone is made for speech primarely so far and Siri is a good stepinto the right direction. I like to compare it with the click wheel on early ipods, we know where this led us. The possibilities for travel are amazing, we are lacking applications, yet.
    
    Reply
Dick Jordan says:

January 18, 2012 at 8:45 pm

Interesting idea, but I can’t find the App on iTunes.

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William El Kaim says:

January 22, 2012 at 12:58 pm

There is no API offered yet for SIRI, that’s why the integration is not “perfect” in term of user experience.
Anyway, it looks like very practical. Since Bonvoy works on top of Facebook and uses Amadeus content, you can imagine the blue ocean of possibilities …

Reply