Design and implementation of an emergency information announcement system utilizing smart speakers

This paper discusses a method for delivering voice announcements to encourage the continuous use of indoor public broadcasting systems in Japan's emergency information services. Following the 2011 earthquake that struck the Pacific coast of the Tohoku region, Japan established a comprehensive emergency information transmission network combining various means such as smartphones, outdoor public broadcasting systems, and email. In addition to emergency information, local governments also provide information closely related to daily life, such as fire alarms and reports of missing persons within the community. As a result, the frequency of information provision has increased, and a large amount of unnecessary information is often provided based on personal preferences, leading to the habit of ignoring information. Furthermore, messages are often lengthy, and when provided in audio format, individuals may need to interrupt their daily activities for a certain period to fully understand the content. Therefore, this study describes the design and implementation of a system that utilizes smart speakers indoors to provide audio information tailored to human characteristics and individual preferences, enabling quick comprehension of outdoor announcements that are difficult to hear.