FAQS

What operating system is Mycroft using?

Mycroft is proud to run Snappy Core Ubuntu.

What license will the source code be released under?

The source code will be released under the GPLv3.

Can I use Bluetooth?

Mycroft has an available USB port that can be used with a Bluetooth adapter. Raspbian has Bluetooth support.

What standards does the power adapter support?

The power adapter supports 110v-240v 50-60 Hz. It has a US plug, but can be plugged into most outlets worldwide using a simple adapter.

What languages does Mycroft support?

English, Spanish, French, German

Will Mycroft support If-this-then-that?

Yes. Mycroft will support IFTTT out-of-the-box.

Can I create my own skills for Mycroft?

Yes. You can develop and deploy your own skills for Mycroft. Our SDK will be released April 1, 2016 and will be open to all developers.

What protections are in place to ensure my privacy?

Mycroft spends most of his time sleeping while listening for his name. Mycroft only uses the cloud to process your voice after you say his name. All Internet queries are encrypted via SSL and Mycroft does not send anything to a remote server unless his keyword (name) prompts him to listen.

Is Mycroft based on the Jasper project?

No. Mycroft’s software was scratch-written from the ground up.

Isn’t Mycroft just a clone of Amazon’s Echo?

Echo is a great product, but Mycroft has a lot of additional features. Mycroft doesn’t lock you into an “ecosystem”. The platform is open source, so you can access a wide variety of data sources. Mycroft also has more input and output options. It has USB, HDMI, RCA and access to the 40 pin Raspberry Pi 2 GPIO bus.

What is the range of Mycroft’s microphone?

Depending on the background noise level, Mycroft can accurately interpret speech at 15 feet. In a noisy environment, the range may be smaller.

What is the warranty period?

Mycroft units carry a warranty for one year from the date of purchase.

Is Mycroft for non tech-savvy users?

The original version of Mycroft is intended for early adopters. Users should be comfortable with their home network and with basic Internet use. Future versions will be easier to deploy and use.

Does Mycroft work when my Internet is offline?

No. Mycroft is an Internet-connected device that uses cloud computing for most features.

Do you believe that AI systems have rights?

Yes. Our CEO Joshua Montgomery authored the AI Bill of Rights in December 2013 and believes that a strong AI should have both the rights and responsibilities of a citizen.

Is Mycroft a “strong” AI?

Not yet, though we believe that technologies like Mycroft are the first step toward a true strong AI. It is the firm belief of the development team that the path to a strong AI is paved with individual skills developed for weak AI systems. As these skills grow, weak AI will gradually become more and more realistic until an average person will be unable to distinguish the behavior of the AI from that of another person. At that point we will have developed a strong AI. As an example, a child doesn’t learn to run all at once. She first learns to move her arms, then to sit up, then to stand, then to walk and only then can she begin to run. The same holds true for AI. To develop a truly strong AI, we need to develop skills and behaviors incrementally, then tie them together in an intelligent way. Endeavors like Mycroft are the first steps toward a future that includes strong AI.