Amazon has introduced a preview update for its Alexa Plus assistant designed to enhance how the AI interacts with various smart home technologies. The update enables the assistant to automatically route user requests to compatible hardware from manufacturers including Bosch, Delta, Ecovacs, iRobot, Yale Home, Whirlpool, Tapo, and Eufy.
By utilizing a new AI developer toolkit, the system can now manage more nuanced instructions. For instance, users can describe specific laundry needs—such as requesting a deep clean for a cold-wash-only garment—and the assistant will identify and select the appropriate cycle on a connected washing machine. This toolkit is intended to simplify the integration process for device makers, particularly for products with specialized features that previously lacked support.
Beyond smart home hardware, Amazon is broadening the assistant's ecosystem by adopting the Model Context Protocol (MCP). This open-source standard facilitates connections between AI models and external systems. As a result, companies such as Canva, Headspace, Priceline, Lyft, Cengage, and Virgin Atlantic are scheduled to launch integrations later this year.
These upcoming updates will also expand transactional capabilities. Services including Priceline, Atom Tickets, Cengage, Fandango, and Taskrabbit are expected to integrate with Amazon Wallet, allowing users to complete bookings and payments directly through the assistant. These additions build upon the revamped Alexa Plus launched in February, which introduced support for multi-step requests and voice-activated routines.
Source: The Verge
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