The SBB’s virtual assistant – the voice of the future?
“Hey Google, ask SBB: when is the next train from Bern to Lucerne?” The SBB virtual assistant gives you information about the timetable and ticket prices. You can now also buy tickets directly.
Current studies show that around 50% of all search enquiries worldwide are conducted by voice control. SBB provides a virtual assistant to ensure that we can meet your needs on voice-controlled communication channels.
SBB’s virtual assistant is based on Google Actions and is available on smart speakers, smart displays and mobile phones (with Google Assistant). Natural Language Understanding (NLU) is used to ensure that dialogue with you is as natural as possible. This means that the context of the conversation is taken into account.
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Immerse yourself in the world of voice control and get to know our virtual assistant.
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Immerse yourself in the world of voice control and get to know our virtual assistant.
There are a wide range of possible uses, which provided added value for you:
simpler use of ticket machines.
automatic responses to common or recurring enquiries.
voice-controlled search for excursion ideas and leisure travel offers.
operation of the SBB Mobile app via voice command.
We are currently looking into how much added value this technology offers our customers and which other areas voice-controlled communication could be extended to.
It’s easy to activate the SBB virtual assistant simply by saying ‘Hey Google, talk to SBB’ or ‘Hey Google, ask SBB’. You can then ask your question about the timetable or ticket prices. After a timetable search, you can start the purchase process for your chosen ticket with the command ‘Buy now’.
The market test for the ticket purchase function will run until autumn 2022. We will then review other possible uses and development steps. We may want to make the SBB virtual assistant available on other platforms and in additional languages.
FAQ on the SBB virtual assistant.
All you need is a smart speaker or a smart display that supports Google Assistant. SBB’s virtual assistant is also available on every smartphone with Google Assistant installed.
You can try out the SBB virtual assistant either at home (if you have a smart speaker) or on your smartphone when you’re out and about.
The SBB virtual assistant can give you information about the timetable (for example, ‘When is the next train from Zurich to Basel?’) and ticket prices. It also provides you with information on the occupancy rate and on delays for requested connections. By linking your SwissPass account, you can also purchase tickets using your stored payment methods. This also enables you to receive personalised price information that takes into account your Half Fare Travelcard or GA Travelcard.
Currently the SBB virtual assistant operates in German (not Swiss German which is currently not supported by Google). In the future, it should be available in several languages.
Tickets purchased via the SBB virtual assistant can only be cancelled or refunded by writing to the following e-mail address:
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