Controlling the Clock
The turn on function can be performed with a motion sensor or any other switch.
Some consideration must be given to safety.
Here are the interfaces I've used to communicate with the Rabbit Control Module:
Bluetooth
BlueRadios C40A Module
USB
FTDI FT232R
IRDA
This was convenient when I used HP handheld computers that had IRDA interfaces.
IrDA interface Schematic and picture of circuit. IrDA installation instructions.
Speech Recognition
I've used a Sensory speech recognition kit.
This is available from Digikey (VD364KIT-ND).
Documentation
from Sensory.
Forth code to use the speech recognition module in slave mode vd364_A.txt
Command vocabulary