Add Voice to Your AI Agent with ElevenLabs + OpenClaw

Why Voice Matters for AI Agents

Text-based AI agents are powerful, but voice takes them to the next level:

• Natural interaction: Speak commands while coding, driving, or cooking
• Accessibility: Voice makes AI available to users who can't type
• Emotional connection: Realistic voices feel more human, building trust
• Multitasking: Get answers without looking at screens
• Phone integration: Call your AI agent for hands-free help

ElevenLabs makes this possible with voices so realistic, users think they're talking to a person.

What is ElevenLabs?

ElevenLabs is the leading AI text-to-speech platform, known for producing the most natural-sounding voices in the industry. Unlike robotic TTS (think old GPS voices), ElevenLabs voices have:

• Natural emotion: Excitement, concern, humor - voices convey feeling
• Perfect inflection: Questions rise, statements fall, pauses feel human
• Breathing and micro-pauses: Subtle details that make voices lifelike
• 29 languages: Serve global users with native-sounding voices
• Voice cloning: Create a digital copy of your own voice

Major AI companies (OpenAI, Anthropic, Midjourney) use ElevenLabs internally. If you're building an AI agent people will actually talk to, ElevenLabs is the standard.

ElevenLabs + OpenClaw: Perfect Match

OpenClaw (formerly Clawdbot) is an AI agent framework that connects to messaging apps, voice channels, and custom interfaces. Add ElevenLabs, and your OpenClaw agent can:

• Speak responses in iMessage, Telegram, Discord, WhatsApp
• Answer phone calls with natural voice
• Read long-form content aloud (articles, code explanations)
• Provide audio summaries of messages or tasks
• Respond to voice commands via Siri/Alexa integrations

Setting Up ElevenLabs with OpenClaw

Step 1: Get an ElevenLabs API Key

Sign up at elevenlabs.io (free tier included). Navigate to your profile → API Keys → Generate new key. Copy it - you'll need this for OpenClaw config.

Step 2: Choose a Voice

Browse ElevenLabs' voice library (100+ professional voices). Try samples to find one that matches your agent's personality:

• Professional assistant: Rachel, Clyde (calm, measured)
• Friendly helper: Bella, Antoni (warm, approachable)
• Technical expert: Adam, Elli (clear, authoritative)
• Creative/fun: Domi, Josh (energetic, expressive)

Copy the voice ID (found on each voice's page). Or use voice cloning to create a custom voice.

Step 3: Configure OpenClaw

Edit your OpenClaw config file (`~/.openclaw/openclaw.json`):

{
  "tts": {
    "provider": "elevenlabs",
    "elevenlabs": {
      "apiKey": "YOUR_ELEVENLABS_API_KEY",
      "voiceId": "VOICE_ID",  // e.g., "21m00Tcm4TlvDq8ikWAM" (Rachel)
      "model": "eleven_multilingual_v2",
      "stability": 0.5,        // 0-1: higher = more consistent
      "similarityBoost": 0.75, // 0-1: higher = closer to original
      "style": 0.5             // 0-1: exaggeration level
    }
  },
  "channels": {
    "imessage": {
      "tts": {
        "enabled": true,
        "autoConvert": true  // Auto-speak responses
      }
    }
  }
}

Step 4: Test It

Restart OpenClaw: `openclaw gateway restart`

Send a message to your agent: "Tell me a joke"

Your agent should reply with text AND an audio file spoken by ElevenLabs. Play it - you'll hear natural, human-like speech.

Advanced Voice Features

Voice Cloning: Use Your Own Voice

ElevenLabs lets you clone your voice with just 1-2 minutes of audio. Record yourself reading a script (provided by ElevenLabs), upload it, and generate a voice model. Now your AI agent sounds like YOU.

This is especially powerful for:

• Personal assistants: Your agent has your voice, making it feel like an extension of yourself
• Content creators: Generate audio versions of your articles in your own voice
• Developers: Clone your voice for code explanations or tutorials

Adjust Voice Parameters

Fine-tune how your agent sounds:

• Stability (0-1): Higher = more consistent across sentences. Lower = more variability/emotion
• Similarity Boost (0-1): Higher = closer to original voice. Lower = more creative interpretation
• Style (0-1): How much emotion/exaggeration. 0 = neutral, 1 = dramatic

For technical assistants, use high stability (0.7-0.9). For creative helpers, try lower stability (0.3-0.5) for more expressive speech.

Multi-Language Support

ElevenLabs supports 29 languages. Configure OpenClaw to switch voices based on user language:

{
  "tts": {
    "provider": "elevenlabs",
    "elevenlabs": {
      "voiceMap": {
        "en": "ENGLISH_VOICE_ID",
        "es": "SPANISH_VOICE_ID",
        "fr": "FRENCH_VOICE_ID"
      }
    }
  }
}

Phone Call Integration

OpenClaw can answer phone calls using Twilio + ElevenLabs. Users call a number, speak to your AI agent with realistic voice, and get answers naturally. Perfect for:

• Customer support bots
• Appointment scheduling
• Information hotlines
• Personal assistants accessible by phone

Real-World Use Cases

1. Personal AI Assistant

Build an AI assistant you can talk to naturally. Send voice messages via iMessage/WhatsApp, and your agent responds with realistic voice. Use it for:

• Task management ("What's on my calendar today?")
• Research ("Summarize this article for me")
• Coding help ("Debug this error message")
• Creative brainstorming ("Give me 5 blog post ideas")

2. Code Explanation Tutor

Use ElevenLabs to read code explanations aloud. Paste a complex function, ask "Explain this", and listen to a clear, natural explanation while you review the code. Great for learning or code reviews.

3. Content Narration

Generate audio versions of your articles, documentation, or tutorials using your OpenClaw agent + ElevenLabs. Users can listen while commuting. Voice quality rivals professional audiobooks.

4. Accessibility Tool

For users with visual impairments or reading difficulties, voice-enabled AI agents provide critical access. ElevenLabs' natural voices make long-form content easy to consume by ear.

5. Customer Support Bot

Deploy a voice AI agent that answers common questions via phone or voice chat. ElevenLabs voices build trust - users feel like they're talking to a knowledgeable person, not a robot.

Combining ElevenLabs with Speech-to-Text

ElevenLabs handles text-to-speech (agent speaks). For full conversational AI, add speech-to-text:

Option 1: OpenAI Whisper

OpenAI Whisper is the gold standard for speech recognition. Integrate with OpenClaw to transcribe user voice messages, then respond via ElevenLabs voice. Result: fully voice-based conversations.

Option 2: Deepgram

Deepgram offers real-time transcription with lower latency than Whisper. Great for live phone calls where speed matters.

Example Workflow

1. User sends voice message to OpenClaw agent (via iMessage, phone, etc.)
2. OpenClaw transcribes with Whisper
3. Agent generates text response
4. ElevenLabs converts response to natural voice
5. User receives voice reply

This creates a seamless, conversational experience - like talking to a knowledgeable friend.

Cost Optimization Tips

1. Use the Free Tier for Testing

ElevenLabs gives 10,000 characters/month free (about 30 minutes of audio). Perfect for development and personal use. Upgrade only when you need more capacity.

2. Cache Common Responses

If your agent often says the same things ("I'm here to help", "Let me check that"), generate those audio clips once and reuse them. Saves API calls and ensures consistent voice.

3. Offer Text Fallback

Let users choose between text and voice responses. Some prefer reading (faster, quieter). This saves TTS costs while keeping everyone happy.

4. Batch Requests for Long Content

For articles or documentation, generate audio in advance rather than on-demand. ElevenLabs supports batch processing for bulk content.

ElevenLabs vs. Alternatives

Winner: ElevenLabs for realism. OpenAI TTS is a solid runner-up if you're already using OpenAI APIs and want simplicity. Google/Amazon are fine for basic announcements but don't compare for conversational AI.

Frequently Asked Questions

Next Steps

Ready to give your OpenClaw agent a voice? Set up ElevenLabs in 5 minutes and experience the difference realistic voice makes.

• Sign up for ElevenLabs (free tier available)
• Get your API key and choose a voice
• Add ElevenLabs config to OpenClaw
• Test with a simple message
• Experiment with voice parameters and cloning