HARRISON, NY (April 16, 2026) – URC, a global leader in smart residential and commercial automation, today announced the launch of URC Voice, a proprietary voice control platform, on its MX-1400 with extensive expansion planned. Engineered to provide "Freedom of Voice," this innovation moves beyond the restrictions of third-party platforms to offer a secure, high-performance alternative that prioritizes user privacy and seamless integration within URC ecosystems.
A Strategic Pivot Toward Proprietary Autonomy
The launch of URC Voice marks a significant power shift within the automation industry, transitioning away from a heavy reliance on other ecosystems toward autonomous, proprietary solutions. By developing its own native voice architecture, URC eliminates the external constraints, data-sharing concerns, and unpredictable API changes often associated with third-party platforms. This move empowers dealers with a stable, reliable toolset and provides end-users with a unified experience where the hardware and voice intelligence are designed by the same manufacturer to work in perfect harmony.
Freedom of Control, Freedom of Voice
URC Voice is designed for users who seek the convenience of voice commands without the baggage of external data sharing. Unlike services that rely on "always-on" listening, URC Voice operates on a strict, intentional protocol:
- Privacy-First Design: The microphone remains completely OFF and is not listening until the user physically presses the microphone button.
- Intentional Interaction: Communication only occurs if the button is held for a minimum of 300ms, preventing accidental triggers.
- Transparent Feedback: An animated URC Voice logo provides real-time visual cues while the microphone is active and again when the assistant responds.
Sophisticated Native Intelligence
Launching initially on the MX-1400, URC Voice delivers a refined user experience through advanced speech-to-text and visual feedback.
- Real-Time Visual Prompts: As users speak, their words are displayed in real-time on the remote’s screen.
- Intelligent Scrolling: If a response exceeds the screen space, the text intelligently scrolls to match the URC Voice Assistant’s spoken words.
- Personalized Settings: Users can independently adjust the volume of voice responses via a dedicated settings menu, ensuring feedback is always at a comfortable level.
Portfolio Expansion & Industry-Leading Support
URC is committed to delivering industry-leading tools that simplify life for both certified dealers and end-users. This launch is just the beginning of a broader rollout across the URC product portfolio:
- Multi-Device Support: Following the release on the MX-1400, URC Voice support will expand to the MX-4000 and beyond.
- Residential & Commercial Versatility: Built on URC’s robust software platform, URC Voice is designed to scale, over time, across luxury residential estates and sophisticated commercial environments.
- Dealer Efficiency: By utilizing a proprietary, pre-programmed framework, URC reduces the need for complex custom macro programming, allowing dealers to focus on creating personalized experiences.
- Global Language Support: At launch, the system will support English with expansion into additional languages, like Spanish and French, scheduled for subsequent updates.
Seamless Integration
While URC Voice provides a powerful proprietary solution, it is designed to coexist within a modern, multi-platform ecosystem. The system features "Per-Device Memory," allowing the remote to remember if a user prefers URC Voice for one device (like a Blu-ray player) while maintaining third-party voice services for another (like a Cable box).
“URC Voice is a testament to our commitment to delivering sophisticated, easy-to-deploy automation,” said Joe Spinelli, URC’s Sr. Director of Product Development. “We are providing a streamlined solution that saves time for our dealers and elevates value for our users, offering an environment that adapts naturally to how they live and work”.