Press one to release the hostage. Press two to...

The industry has brought in psychologists to study the reactions of victims in robberies and has found that if another human life is in danger, staff will normally act automatically to help. In future it wants computerised systems with disembodied Big Brother-like voices issuing commands to staff seeking access to high-security buildings. Sunday Times, 26 February on the subject of the recent large robbery in Kent.

Given how frustrating voice-recognition systems can be (especially as they're not great at accents yet) I'm really not certain that this is a good idea...