When you rely on voice assistants for everything from turning on the lights to managing your home security, losing connectivity isn’t just inconvenient, it can leave you stranded. The recent April 2025 power outage across Portugal and Spain was a stark reminder of just how fragile our cloud-connected world can be. But with Sensory’s on-device voice command technology, you remain in control, even when the grid goes dark.
Real-World Scenario: The Portugal Blackout
On April 28, 2025, a massive blackout swept across the Iberian Peninsula, plunging Portugal, Spain, and parts of France into darkness for up to ten hours. The outage crippled transportation, shut down businesses, and, perhaps most critically for many, knocked out telecommunications and internet connectivity. In homes and businesses, cloud-based voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant simply stopped working. Without internet access, even basic voice commands like locking or unlocking a door, adjusting a thermostat, or checking a local device were impossible.
This is where Sensory’s technology stands apart. Because Sensory’s voice recognition runs entirely on-device, it doesn’t need WiFi, internet, or even cellular coverage to function. If your smart home is powered by Sensory, you can still control lights, alarms, and other local devices with your voice, no matter what happens to the cloud.
The Hidden Cost of Connectivity Dependence
We’ve all heard it: “Sorry, something went wrong.” Cloud-based voice assistants are only as reliable as your internet connection. During the Portugal blackout, this meant millions lost access to the convenience and safety features of their smart homes for hours. Sensory’s on-device tech processes everything locally, so your devices keep listening and responding- even when the rest of the world goes offline.
Flexibility and Reliability for Rural, Remote, and Infrastructure-Challenged Areas
Rural communities in the US and worldwide often face slow or unreliable internet, making cloud-based solutions impractical. In India, for example, voice assistants are transforming education in rural schools-especially where electricity and connectivity are inconsistent. Sensory’s offline voice recognition empowers users in these areas to access information, control devices, and even learn, regardless of network conditions. On-device voice tech provides reliable, real-time responses and puts control back in users’ hands, no matter where they live.
Why On-Device Voice Tech is the Future
- Always available: Works with or without internet, power, or cellular service.
- Privacy-first: Voice data never leaves your device, reducing security risks.
- Instant response: No cloud latency– commands are processed in real time.
- Accessible everywhere: Empowers users in rural, remote, or disaster-affected areas.
Conclusion
The Portugal blackout showed just how quickly cloud-based conveniences can disappear. With Sensory’s on-device voice command technology, you’re never left in the dark. Whether you’re facing a power outage, living off the grid, or simply want a more reliable and private voice assistant, Sensory keeps you connected to what matters, anytime, anywhere.
Learn more about Sensory’s on-device wake word and voice command technology by downloading the product brief or reaching out to our team of experts.