Jakarta, INTI - The development of Voice AI technology, which took center stage at IFA 2026 in Berlin, Germany, is creating new growth opportunities across Southeast Asia, with Indonesia emerging as one of the region’s most promising markets.
Lawrence Wu, Head of Physical AI at Agora, said Indonesia’s smart device market has strong growth potential as the adoption of artificial intelligence-powered technologies continues to increase.
“Indonesia’s smart device market shows some of the most promising growth potential in Southeast Asia. This trend is one of the factors we consider when evaluating markets where technologies like these could become increasingly relevant in the future,” Lawrence Wu said in a written statement on Monday, September 7, 2026.
At IFA 2026, Agora Inc. introduced three new capabilities for its conversational AI platform: Voiceprint, Voice Cloning, and Model Context Protocol (MCP) support.
These technologies allow devices to recognize users by their voices, create more personalized voice experiences, and connect with other devices, services, and data sources through natural conversations.
Indonesia’s Smart Home Market Continues to Grow
Indonesia, along with Vietnam and the Philippines, is recording double-digit growth in the adoption of increasingly affordable Android-based voice assistants.
Indonesia’s smart home market is projected to grow from US$1.81 billion in 2024 to US$8.12 billion by 2030.
Voiceprint technology enables devices such as smart speakers to distinguish between individual family members and tailor responses or access based on the identified user.
Voice Cloning, meanwhile, allows developers to create or replicate specific voice characteristics for use in AI agents, companion robots, and virtual assistants.
MCP enables AI agents to connect in real time with external devices, services, and data sources, allowing users to perform various tasks through natural conversations without switching between applications.
In everyday applications, the technology could allow drivers to ask an in-car assistant to find the fastest route while avoiding traffic by directly accessing navigation services.
“Physical AI represents the next major shift in how humans interact with technology. As conversational AI moves beyond screens and into the devices around us, companies that stand out will be those capable of delivering interactions that feel natural, personal, and genuinely useful,” Wu said.
“For hardware brands, this creates an opportunity to transform everyday devices into differentiated experiences, build stronger engagement, and deliver greater long-term value,” he added.
Conversational AI Expands Across Devices
The growing capabilities of conversational AI were showcased through Agora’s products at IFA 2026, ranging from robotics and AI-powered companion devices to developer hardware and wearable technology.
Companies including Seeed Studio, Sentino, Espressif, Speedtech, Quectel, and IntelPro showcased hardware, chips, connectivity solutions, and development technologies designed to expand the application of conversational AI.
Physical products powered by conversational AI were also presented by Agora customers, including Sweekar, Kata Friends, and Roboson.
“Creating an AI companion like Sweekar requires a conversational experience that feels as natural and engaging as the physical product itself,” said Takway AI Founder and CEO Irving Gao.
“Agora provides a strong conversational foundation without requiring our team to build the infrastructure from scratch,” he added.
In Indonesia, Agora’s infrastructure has been used to support the interactive live-streaming platform everywhere.id, formerly known as GoPlay, enabling real-time audience interaction for content creators and event venue partners across the country.
Conclusion
The rapid growth of Voice AI is creating new opportunities across Southeast Asia, with Indonesia standing out as a promising market for smart devices and AI-powered experiences. As conversational AI expands beyond screens into homes, vehicles, robotics, and wearables, the combination of natural interaction and personalized technology could drive the next wave of digital adoption.
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