Natural-language user interface

Natural-language search engines
– Wikipedia is one of the oldest search engines.
– Lexxe closed its search engine services in 2015.
– Pikimal used natural-language tied to user preference for search recommendations.
– Powerset introduced a tool for searching a fixed subset of Wikipedia using conversational phrases.
– Microsoft purchased Powerset in July 2008.
– Q-go provides relevant answers to user queries on websites or intranets.
– Q-go’s technology can process natural sentences or keyword input.
– RightNow Technologies acquired Q-go in 2011.
– Yebol was a vertical decision search engine.
– Yebol developed a knowledge-based, semantic search platform.
– Yebol’s algorithms automatically clustered and categorized search results.
– Yebol integrated natural-language processing and machine algorithms with human knowledge.
– Yebol used association, ranking, and clustering algorithms to analyze related keywords or web pages.

Examples of natural-language interfaces
– Ubiquity is a Firefox add-on that allows users to get information and relate it to webpages.
– Wolfram Alpha answers factual queries directly using structured data.
– Siri is an intelligent personal assistant application integrated with iOS.
– Ask.com supports keyword searching and answers questions in natural language.
– Braina is a natural language interface for Windows OS.

Challenges
– Users may anthropomorphize the computer and have unrealistic expectations.
– Challenges include modifier attachment ambiguity.
– Conjunction and disjunction in natural-language queries can be ambiguous.
– Anaphora resolution is needed to understand self-referential queries.
– Speed, efficiency, and localization are important considerations.

Uses and applications
– Dictation is a common use for automated speech recognition systems.
– Command and control systems perform functions and actions on the system.
– Telephony systems allow callers to speak commands instead of pressing buttons.
– Wearable devices benefit from natural-language interfaces due to limited inputs.
– Natural-language interfaces assist people with disabilities in various fields.

Related topics
– Conversational user interface is a related concept.
– Natural user interface is another related concept.
– Natural-language programming is a relevant topic.
– Voice user interface is also related.
– Chatbot is a computer program that simulates human conversations.