Micros in `white goods' [consumer electronics]

The image of a robot butler gliding into the dining room and announcing in suitably metallic tones that "dinner is ready" has long been a cliche of science fiction. However, similar computer-synthesized voices, bearing the same message, as well as more informative ones, will soon be heard in thousands of kitchens. A number of United States and Japanese microwave-oven manufacturers have introduced voice-synthesis microprocessors into their top-of-the-line products. Such talking ovens can be programmed to remind home cooks of important steps in preparation at the appropriate times or simply to acknowledge verbally and repeat the settings entered into the oven through its control board.