“Turn left” “Take to exit on your right” “Calling Dad” These robotic and computerized voices are in each one of your phones and GPS devices. However, have you ever noticed the same characteristics of each of the voices in these devices? Most of these computerized voices are female voices. Why? It is suggested [by http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/21/tech/innovation/female-computer-voices/index.html?eref=rss_tech&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_tech+%28RSS%3A+Technology%29 and Stanford University Professor Clifford Nass ] that the reason for this is biology and human history.
It is believed that the female voice is more demanding in an electronic voice because of a mother’s voice that has been embedded in our psych since birth. A study cited by Nass shows how the human fetus reacts more to the mother’s voice rather than the father’s.
In history, a female voice is used throughout all other automated devices and even services run by real humans. This originally was not because biological reasons but because of convenience and efficiency. The female voice is distinct and easily heard. Thus, humans have grown accustomed to hearing the female voice.
In addition, culture has given negative connotations to the male voice and perhaps swayed producers of products away from the male voice. This is mainly from the move “2001: A Space Odyssey” when a computer named HAL had a male voice.
In conclusion, the robotic female voice that we have become accustomed to is on the rise on technology now and in the future. This phenomenon is caused by biological, historic, and cultural influences. Perhaps in the future, if robots are ever invented, they too will only be female.
