Voice Commerce
Voice commerce represents the ultimate in convenient shoppingâmaking purchases using only your voice through smart speakers, phones, cars, and other devices. ACP enables secure, natural voice-based transactions that previously werenât possible.
The Voice Commerce Opportunity
Voice interfaces are everywhere:
- 150+ million smart speakers in US homes
- Voice assistant usage growing 25% annually
- Car voice systems increasingly sophisticated
- Accessibility: Critical for users with disabilities
Yet voice commerce adoption has been slow due to:
- Limited product discovery
- Trust issues with unseen purchases
- Clunky confirmation flows
- Poor integration with existing accounts
ACP solves these challenges by enabling AI agents to handle the complexity while maintaining simple, natural voice interactions.
How ACP Enables Voice Commerce
Scenario: Smart Speaker Grocery Order
The Problem: Ordering groceries by voice is tediousâyou canât see options and have to spell out everything.
With ACP:
User: "Hey, I need to order groceries for dinner tonight"
AI: "Sure! What are you making?"
User: "Chicken stir fry"
AI: "Great choice. For a chicken stir fry serving 4, you'll need:
Proteins:
⢠Chicken breast, 2 pounds
Vegetables:
⢠Broccoli florets
⢠Bell peppers, red and green
⢠Snap peas
⢠Carrots
⢠Garlic and ginger
Sauce ingredients:
⢠Soy sauce
⢠Sesame oil
⢠Rice vinegar
Plus rice if you need it.
Should I check what you already have and order the rest?"
User: "I have rice and soy sauce"
AI: "Got it. From your usual store, Whole Foods, here's what
I'll order:
⢠Organic chicken breast, 2 pounds: $14.99
⢠Broccoli florets, 12 oz bag: $3.99
⢠Bell pepper 3-pack: $4.99
⢠Snap peas, 8 oz: $3.49
⢠Shredded carrots, 10 oz: $2.99
⢠Fresh ginger: $0.99
⢠Garlic, 3 bulbs: $1.99
⢠Sesame oil, 8 oz: $4.99
⢠Rice vinegar, 12 oz: $3.49
Total is $41.91 with free delivery by 5 PM.
Should I place this order?"
User: "Yes"
AI: "Order placed! Your groceries arrive by 5 PM.
I also found a quick recipe from Bon AppĂŠtit if you want
me to send it to your phone.
Anything else?"
User: "Send the recipe, thanks"
AI: "Done! Recipe sent to your phone. Happy cooking!"Scenario: Driving and Shopping
The Problem: You think of something you need while driving but shouldnât use your phone.
With ACP (via car voice system):
User: "Hey, I just remembered I need a birthday present for my
mom. Her birthday is Saturday."
AI: "I can help with that. What does your mom enjoy?"
User: "She loves gardening and cooking"
AI: "I have some ideas. For gardening:
A beautiful indoor herb garden kit, self-watering, grows
basil, mint, and cilantro. It's $49.99 on Amazon with
delivery by Friday.
Or for cooking:
A Le Creuset heritage mixing bowl set in her favorite
color. I see she's bought Le Creuset before in Caribbean
blue. The set is $89.99, also arrives Friday.
Or I can keep looking. What sounds better?"
User: "The herb garden is perfect, she's been wanting one"
AI: "Great choice! The AeroGarden Harvest Elite herb garden kit:
⢠Includes 6 seed pods
⢠LED grow lights
⢠Self-watering system
⢠4.7 stars with over 8,000 reviews
Total is $49.99 with free Prime shipping, arrives Friday.
Want me to add gift wrapping and a message?"
User: "Yes, gift wrap and say Happy Birthday Mom, love Sarah"
AI: "Perfect. Gift wrapped with your message:
'Happy Birthday Mom, love Sarah'
Total is $54.98 including gift wrap.
Arrives Friday before her Saturday birthday.
Confirm the order?"
User: "Confirmed"
AI: "Done! Order placed. I'll send the tracking to your phone.
Drive safe!"Scenario: Hands-Busy Reordering
The Problem: Youâre cooking or doing chores and realize you need something.
With ACP:
[In the kitchen, hands covered in flour]
User: "Order more all-purpose flour"
AI: "Your usual King Arthur all-purpose flour, 5-pound bag?"
User: "Yes"
AI: "King Arthur All-Purpose Flour, 5 pounds, $6.49 from
Target. Same-day delivery available, arrives by 7 PM.
Order it?"
User: "Yes please"
AI: "Ordered! Arrives by 7 PM tonight.
By the way, you're also running low on baking powder
based on your order history. Want me to add that?"
User: "Sure, add it"
AI: "Added Clabber Girl Baking Powder, $3.29.
New total is $9.78, still arriving by 7 PM.
Order updated!"Multi-Modal Voice Commerce
Scenario: Voice Start, Visual Confirm
The Problem: Some purchases need visual confirmation but should start with voice for convenience.
With ACP:
User: "I want to order a new coffee table"
AI: "Sure! I can help you find a coffee table.
A few questions:
⢠What styleâmodern, traditional, rustic?
⢠Any size requirements?
⢠Budget range?"
User: "Modern, for my small apartment, under 300 dollars"
AI: "I found 3 great options for modern coffee tables
under $300 that work in small spaces:
1. West Elm Mid-Century Pop-Up Table, $249
Compact with hidden storage
2. IKEA LACK, $49.99
Simple, budget-friendly, 35 inches
3. Article Sina, $299
Walnut finish, minimalist design
I've sent photos of all three to your phone so you
can see them. Take a look and tell me which you like."
User: [looks at phone]
"The Article one is beautiful"
AI: "Great taste! The Article Sina coffee table:
⢠Solid walnut veneer
⢠47 inches wide, 24 inches deep
⢠Mid-century modern design
⢠Free delivery in 1-2 weeks
Total is $299 with free shipping.
Ready to order?"
User: "Yes, order it"
AI: "Ordered! The Article Sina coffee table will arrive in
1-2 weeks. You'll get an email with tracking info.
Article has a 30-day return policy if it doesn't work
in your space."Scenario: Voice with Screen (Smart Display)
The Problem: Complex purchases benefit from visual options but voice navigation is faster.
With ACP on a smart display (Echo Show, Google Nest Hub):
User: "Show me running shoes"
AI: [Display shows grid of 6 running shoes]
"Here are top-rated running shoes in your size.
Say a number to learn more, or tell me what you prefer."
User: "I need something for long distance running"
AI: [Display updates to show 4 distance running shoes]
"These are the best for distance running:
1. Brooks Ghost 15, $140
2. Nike Pegasus 40, $130
3. Hoka Clifton 9, $145
4. New Balance Fresh Foam, $135
Based on your previous purchases, you bought Brooks last
time. The Ghost 15 is their latest model. Want to hear
more about it?"
User: "What's different in the new Ghost?"
AI: [Display shows Ghost 15 details]
"The Brooks Ghost 15 improvements:
⢠New DNA Loft v2 cushioningâsofter landing
⢠Updated mesh upperâmore breathable
⢠3D Fit Printâbetter midfoot support
⢠Same great durability you liked before
It's $140, same as the 14 you bought.
Available in your size 10.
Reviews say it's the best Ghost yet, especially for
longer runs. 4.6 stars from 2,300 reviews.
Want to order your usual color, blue?"
User: "Yes, get the blue ones"
AI: [Display shows order confirmation]
"Ordered! Brooks Ghost 15, size 10, blue.
$140 with free 2-day shipping.
Arrives Thursday.
Happy running!"Voice Commerce in Specific Contexts
Scenario: Kitchen Voice Assistant
With a dedicated kitchen device:
User: "I'm out of olive oil"
AI: "Your usual California Olive Ranch extra virgin?
I see it's on sale at Target, $11.99 for 25 oz,
down from $14.99.
Order it?"
User: "Yes"
AI: "Ordered! Arrives tomorrow with your other Target order.
I combined them to save a delivery."
[Later while cooking]
User: "What can I substitute for heavy cream?"
AI: "For cooking or baking?"
User: "Making pasta sauce"
AI: "For pasta sauce, you can use:
⢠Half and halfâlighter but works well
⢠Full fat coconut milkâdairy free option
⢠Cream cheese thinned with milk
⢠Greek yogurtâtangy but rich
I see you have Greek yogurt. That would work great.
Use about three-quarters cup to replace one cup of cream.
Want me to order heavy cream for next time?"
User: "Yes, add it to my next order"
AI: "Added to your Whole Foods cart for next delivery.
Heavy cream, 1 pint, $4.99."Scenario: Bathroom Voice Ordering
With a waterproof speaker:
User: "Running low on shampoo"
AI: "Your Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance shampoo?"
User: "Actually, want to try something new. What's good for
colored hair?"
AI: "For color-treated hair, these are highly rated:
1. Pureology Hydrate, $36
Best for dry, color-treated hair
2. Redken Color Extend, $25
Good value, gentle formula
3. Moroccanoil Moisture Repair, $28
Great for damaged hair too
Based on your hair products, I'd recommend Pureologyâ
it matches well with your current conditioner.
Want to try it?"
User: "Sure, the Pureology"
AI: "Ordered! Pureology Hydrate Shampoo, $36 from Ulta.
Arrives in 2 days.
I also noticed your conditioner might run out soon.
Want me to remind you when to reorder?"
User: "Yes, good idea"
AI: "I'll check back in about 3 weeks based on your
usage pattern."Voice Commerce Security
How ACP Makes Voice Purchases Secure
Voice commerce raises unique security concerns. ACP addresses these through multiple safeguards.
User: "Order a new MacBook Pro"
AI: "That's a significant purchase. The MacBook Pro 14-inch
starts at $1,999.
For purchases over $500, I need to verify it's you.
I've sent a confirmation to your phone. Please approve
the purchase there to continue."
[Phone shows: "Approve MacBook Pro purchase for $1,999?"]
User: [approves on phone]
AI: "Thanks for confirming. MacBook Pro 14-inch M3, $1,999.
Shipping to your address on file?
Say 'confirm' to complete the order."
User: "Confirm"
AI: "Order placed! Your MacBook Pro ships tomorrow and
arrives by Friday.
Confirmation sent to your email and phone."Voice Purchase Limits and Controls
Users can set voice-specific rules:
User: "What are my voice shopping limits?"
AI: "Your current voice shopping settings:
â Single item limit: $200
â Daily total limit: $500
â Require confirmation: All purchases
â Phone verification: Purchases over $100
Allowed categories:
â Groceries
â Household supplies
â Personal care
â Electronics (requires screen)
â Clothing (requires screen)
Want to change any of these?"
User: "Raise the single item limit to 300"
AI: "I'll need you to confirm this change on your phone
for security.
[Sends verification]
Confirmed! Single item voice purchase limit is now $300."Voice Commerce Best Practices
Natural Confirmation Flow
Good voice commerce should feel conversational, not robotic:
â BAD:
AI: "Item added. Total is 24 dollars and 99 cents. Tax is
2 dollars and 12 cents. Shipping is free. Grand total
is 27 dollars and 11 cents. Do you want to proceed
with checkout? Say yes or no."
â GOOD:
AI: "Got it! That's about $27 with tax, arrives Thursday.
Should I order it?"Smart Defaults and Memory
User: "Order coffee"
AI: "Your usual Stumptown Hair Bender, 12-ounce bag, $16?"
[Remembers preference]
User: "Actually get two bags this time"
AI: "Two bags, $32 total. Free shipping. Order it?"
[Adapts smoothly]
User: "Yes"
AI: "Done! Arrives Monday."
[Updates preference: may order 2 bags next time]Graceful Handling of Ambiguity
User: "I need batteries"
AI: "What kind? AA, AAA, or something else?"
[Doesn't assume]
User: "Double A"
AI: "Your Duracell AA 24-pack is $17.99. Or did you want
a different brand or quantity?"
[Offers default but invites override]
User: "That's fine"
AI: "Ordered! Duracell AA batteries, $17.99, arrives tomorrow."Voice Commerce Accessibility
Scenario: Visually Impaired User
With ACP:
User: "I need to order my prescriptions"
AI: "I can help with that. You have 3 prescriptions ready
for refill at CVS:
1. Metformin, 90 tablets, $12.50
2. Lisinopril, 90 tablets, $8.00
3. Atorvastatin, 90 tablets, $15.00
Total is $35.50. Want me to order all three?"
User: "Yes, all three"
AI: "Ordered! All 3 prescriptions will be ready for pickup
at your usual CVS on Main Street by 4 PM tomorrow.
I'll remind you tomorrow afternoon.
Would you like me to arrange transportation?"
User: "Yes please, I need a ride"
AI: "I'll schedule an Uber for tomorrow at 3:45 PM to CVS.
The driver will assist you into the store.
Estimated cost is $12. Should I book it?"
User: "Yes"
AI: "Ride scheduled! Tomorrow at 3:45 PM.
I'll remind you 30 minutes before and when the
driver arrives."Key Benefits of Voice Commerce
| Challenge | Without ACP | With ACP |
|---|---|---|
| Product selection | Limited to exact matches | Natural language understanding |
| Trust | Canât see what youâre buying | Conversational confirmation |
| Security | Voice-only verification | Multi-factor with phone |
| Memory | Repeat full details each time | Remembers preferences |
| Complex purchases | Not possible by voice | Visual fallback seamlessly |
| Accessibility | Barrier for many users | Fully accessible |
Voice commerce with ACP combines the convenience of hands-free shopping with the security and flexibility users need to make confident purchases.
Next Steps
Explore more use cases:
- Consumer Shopping - Traditional AI shopping
- Accessibility - Inclusive commerce
- Subscription Management - Voice subscription control