PS5 controller may get voice commands and built-in mic to up your A-game
Goodbye game guides
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
We’ve all experienced it – that moment when you’ve sunk hours into a game only to be hit by a doozy of a puzzle or a monster of a boss that stops you right in your tracks. But what if you could just ask your console for help instead of having to whip out your phone andGooglea guide? Well,Sonymay let you do just that with thePS5 controller, according to a new patent.
This Sony patent (published byWIPOand spotted bySegmentNext) describes “a controller device that is held by a user’s hand, including a microphone, a tactile presentation device that presents a tactile sense to the user’s hand, and a speaker.
“While the user is inputting voice from the microphone, the sound of the speaker is suppressed, and tactile presentation control by the tactile presentation device is performed.”
In other words, the controller can acceptvoice commandsthrough its built-in microphone, much like smart speakers such asAmazon' Echo range.
Whether this patent is for the PS5 controller is still speculation, but it lines up with several Sony patents we’ve seen before that have suggested voice commands will be coming to thePS5.
PlayStation Assist
Previously, patentsfor what seems to be the PS5 controller have suggested the new gamepad will include a built-in microphone. While the inclusion of that may seem slightly odd – it wouldn’t be replacing a gaming headset – when put together with this new patent, it starts to make sense.
And it makes even more sense when we consider anotherpatentthat Sony filed last September, for an AI-powered voice assistant called ‘PlayStation Assist’.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
This voice assistant reportedly would be able to dynamically respond to queries and provide “gaming assistance”, such as pointing out health packs on a map or reminding you what your objective is, similar to what Google has said itsStadia controllerwill do.
Sony has filed a new patent for an AI powered voice assistant called PlayStation Assist. You can input a query and then the game will dynamically respond. E.g. Ask for the nearest health pack > The game marks it on your map.https://t.co/BQWibOqSRP pic.twitter.com/PNKDEH7jGeSeptember 29, 2019
So it could be that this patent for a controller with a voice command system refers to the PS5 controller, which may work with PlayStation Assist.
It’s worth noting that these patents may not be linked, and the devices described in them may never see the light of day; however, we certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see Sony add a voice command feature to the PS5 controller.
An award-winning games journalist, with seven years of experience in games journalism and a degree in journalism from City University, London, Vic brings experience from IGN, Eurogamer, The Telegraph, VG247, Dot Esports and more to the TechRadar table. You may have even heard her on the radio or speaking on a panel, as she’s previously appeared on BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5, BBC Radio Ulster and more. Not only is Vic passionate about games, but she’s appeared on both panels and podcasts to discuss mental health awareness. Make sure to follow her on Twitter for more.
I reviewed the PS5 Pro and recommend these 7 enhanced games to try first
Lords of the Fallen is the latest game to get confirmed PS5 Pro enhancements and support
Stormforce Pro Creator 0601 workstation review
