PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Septemeber 15, 2025) — Na Li, Ph.D., professor in the Computer Science Department at Prairie View A&M University, has received a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to advance research on accessible and safe voice interactions in smart home environments for underrepresented users.
Na Li, Ph.D.
The project focuses on Virtual Personal Assistants (VPAs) such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s Siri, which are widely used to manage schedules, control connected devices and perform everyday tasks through voice commands. While VPAs enhance convenience, they present challenges for users who are deaf or hard of hearing, as well as for children and individuals affected by biases in voice recognition technology.
Dr. Li’s research aims to develop innovative algorithms and user-focused solutions that ensure VPAs are inclusive, safe, and reliable for all users. The work will include algorithm development and user studies to address accessibility barriers, mitigate bias, and implement fine-grained parental controls in smart home devices.
By tackling these challenges, the project seeks to make smart home technologies more equitable and secure, empowering underrepresented populations to benefit fully from modern voice-controlled systems.
By Joe McGinty