Mycroft AI

Mycroft AI, Inc. is a United States-based technology company that develops open-source voice assistant software. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, the company is known for its privacy-focused approach to conversational AI. Its flagship offering is the Mycroft voice assistant, which runs on Linux-based devices and is designed to be customizable and transparent, allowing users to control their data. The company also produces hardware such as the Mark II smart speaker and provides a platform for developers to build voice applications. Mycroft AI operates within the open-source community, offering its core technology under permissive licenses. The company has raised funds through crowdfunding and venture capital to support its development. Its mission is to create a open, private alternative to mainstream voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Mycroft AI continues to serve a global community of developers and privacy-conscious users.

Mycroft AI, Inc. was founded in 2015 by Joshua Montgomery in Kansas City, Missouri. The company emerged from the growing interest in open-source voice assistants and aimed to provide a privacy-respecting alternative to proprietary systems. In 2016, Mycroft launched a Kickstarter campaign for its first smart speaker, the Mark I, which successfully raised funds and shipped to backers. The company subsequently developed the Mycroft voice assistant software, built on open-source technologies such as Python and adapted from existing projects. In 2018, Mycroft announced the Mark II smart speaker, a more advanced device with a touchscreen and improved audio, funded through Kickstarter and Indiegogo. The company has also released developer kits and fostered a community around its platform. Throughout its history, Mycroft AI has emphasized transparency, user data control, and open collaboration. It has faced challenges in a market dominated by large tech companies but continues to operate and support its community.

• 2018

  Announcement of Mark II smart speaker with touchscreen.

• 2016

  Kickstarter campaign for Mark I smart speaker successfully funded.

• 2015

  Mycroft AI, Inc. founded by Joshua Montgomery in Kansas City, Missouri.

Privacy-focused open-source voice assistant technology

• Mycroft Voice Assistant

  Open-source voice assistant software for Linux-based devices.

• Mark I

  First smart speaker by Mycroft, funded via Kickstarter.

• Mark II

  Advanced smart speaker with touchscreen and improved audio.

1. 1Open Source Conversational AI Community - Home for Voice AI Open Source Projectscommunity.openconversational.ai
2. 2Mycroft AI, Inc. - Wikidatawikidata.org