diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 1c06240bc..ef26f0266 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -9,10 +9,59 @@ and this project adheres to [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/spec/v2.0.0
 
 ### Added
 
-- ElevenLabs TTS services now support a sample rate of 8000.
+- Added support to `ProtobufFrameSerializer` to send the messages from `TransportMessageFrame` and `TransportMessageUrgentFrame`.
+
+- Added support for a new TTS service, `PiperTTSService`.
+  (see https://github.com/rhasspy/piper/)
+
+- It is now possible to tell whether `UserStartedSpeakingFrame` or
+  `UserStoppedSpeakingFrame` have been generated because of emulation frames.
 
 ### Fixed
 
+- Fixed an issue that would cause `SegmentedSTTService` based services
+  (e.g. `OpenAISTTService`) to try to transcribe non-spoken audio, causing
+  invalid transcriptions.
+
+- Fixed an issue where `GoogleTTSService` was emitting two `TTSStoppedFrames`.
+
+## [0.0.61] - 2025-03-26
+
+### Added
+
+- Added a new frame, `LLMSetToolChoiceFrame`, which provides a mechanism
+  for modifying the `tool_choice` in the context.
+
+- Added `GroqTTSService` which provides text-to-speech functionality using
+  Groq's API.
+
+- Added support in `DailyTransport` for updating remote participants'
+  `canReceive` permission via the `update_remote_participants()` method, by
+  bumping the daily-python dependency to >= 0.16.0.
+
+- ElevenLabs TTS services now support a sample rate of 8000.
+
+- Added support for `instructions` in `OpenAITTSService`.
+
+- Added support for `base_url` in `OpenAIImageGenService` and
+  `OpenAITTSService`.
+
+### Fixed
+
+- Fixed an issue in `RTVIObserver` that prevented handling of Google LLM
+  context messages. The observer now processes both OpenAI-style and
+  Google-style contexts.
+
+- Fixed an issue in Daily involving switching virtual devices, by bumping the
+  daily-python dependency to >= 0.16.1.
+
+- Fixed a `GoogleAssistantContextAggregator` issue where function calls
+  placeholders where not being updated when then function call result was
+  different from a string.
+
+- Fixed an issue that would cause `LLMAssistantContextAggregator` to block
+  processing more frames while processing a function call result.
+
 - Fixed an issue where the `RTVIObserver` would report two bot started and
   stopped speaking events for each bot turn.
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f28005618..c49478d27 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -55,17 +55,17 @@ pip install "pipecat-ai[option,...]"
 
 ### Available services
 
-| Category            | Services                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                | Install Command Example                 |
-| ------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
-| Speech-to-Text      | [AssemblyAI](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/assemblyai), [Azure](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/azure), [Deepgram](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/deepgram), [Fal Wizper](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/fal), [Gladia](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/gladia), [Google](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/google), [Groq (Whisper)](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/groq), [OpenAI (Whisper)](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/openai), [Parakeet (NVIDIA)](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/parakeet), [Ultravox](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/ultravox), [Whisper](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/whisper)                                                                                                                                                                                  | `pip install "pipecat-ai[deepgram]"`    |
-| LLMs                | [Anthropic](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/anthropic), [Azure](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/azure), [Cerebras](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/cerebras), [DeepSeek](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/deepseek), [Fireworks AI](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/fireworks), [Gemini](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/gemini), [Grok](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/grok), [Groq](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/groq), [NVIDIA NIM](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/nim), [Ollama](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/ollama), [OpenAI](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/openai), [OpenRouter](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/openrouter), [Perplexity](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/perplexity), [Together AI](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/together) | `pip install "pipecat-ai[openai]"`      |
-| Text-to-Speech      | [AWS](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/aws), [Azure](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/azure), [Cartesia](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/cartesia), [Deepgram](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/deepgram), [ElevenLabs](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/elevenlabs), [FastPitch (NVIDIA)](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/fastpitch), [Fish](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/fish), [Google](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/google), [LMNT](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/lmnt), [Neuphonic](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/neuphonic), [OpenAI](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/openai), [PlayHT](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/playht), [Rime](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/rime), [XTTS](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/xtts)                         | `pip install "pipecat-ai[cartesia]"`    |
-| Speech-to-Speech    | [Gemini Multimodal Live](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/s2s/gemini), [OpenAI Realtime](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/s2s/openai)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     | `pip install "pipecat-ai[google]"`      |
-| Transport           | [Daily (WebRTC)](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/transport/daily), [FastAPI Websocket](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/transport/fastapi-websocket), [WebSocket Server](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/transport/websocket-server), Local                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | `pip install "pipecat-ai[daily]"`       |
-| Video               | [Tavus](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/video/tavus), [Simli](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/video/simli)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | `pip install "pipecat-ai[tavus,simli]"` |
-| Vision & Image      | [fal](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/image-generation/fal), [Google Imagen](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/image-generation/fal), [Moondream](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/vision/moondream)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | `pip install "pipecat-ai[moondream]"`   |
-| Audio Processing    | [Silero VAD](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/utilities/audio/silero-vad-analyzer), [Krisp](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/utilities/audio/krisp-filter), [Koala](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/utilities/audio/koala-filter), [Noisereduce](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/utilities/audio/noisereduce-filter)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | `pip install "pipecat-ai[silero]"`      |
-| Analytics & Metrics | [Canonical AI](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/analytics/canonical), [Sentry](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/analytics/sentry)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | `pip install "pipecat-ai[canonical]"`   |
+| Category            | Services                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | Install Command Example                 |
+| ------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
+| Speech-to-Text      | [AssemblyAI](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/assemblyai), [Azure](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/azure), [Deepgram](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/deepgram), [Fal Wizper](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/fal), [Gladia](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/gladia), [Google](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/google), [Groq (Whisper)](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/groq), [OpenAI (Whisper)](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/openai), [Parakeet (NVIDIA)](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/parakeet), [Ultravox](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/ultravox), [Whisper](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/stt/whisper)                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | `pip install "pipecat-ai[deepgram]"`    |
+| LLMs                | [Anthropic](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/anthropic), [Azure](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/azure), [Cerebras](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/cerebras), [DeepSeek](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/deepseek), [Fireworks AI](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/fireworks), [Gemini](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/gemini), [Grok](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/grok), [Groq](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/groq), [NVIDIA NIM](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/nim), [Ollama](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/ollama), [OpenAI](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/openai), [OpenRouter](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/openrouter), [Perplexity](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/perplexity), [Together AI](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/together)                                     | `pip install "pipecat-ai[openai]"`      |
+| Text-to-Speech      | [AWS](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/aws), [Azure](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/azure), [Cartesia](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/cartesia), [Deepgram](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/deepgram), [ElevenLabs](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/elevenlabs), [FastPitch (NVIDIA)](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/fastpitch), [Fish](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/fish), [Google](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/google), [LMNT](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/lmnt), [Neuphonic](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/neuphonic), [OpenAI](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/openai), [Piper](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/piper), [PlayHT](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/playht), [Rime](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/rime), [XTTS](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/tts/xtts) | `pip install "pipecat-ai[cartesia]"`    |
+| Speech-to-Speech    | [Gemini Multimodal Live](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/s2s/gemini), [OpenAI Realtime](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/s2s/openai)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | `pip install "pipecat-ai[google]"`      |
+| Transport           | [Daily (WebRTC)](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/transport/daily), [FastAPI Websocket](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/transport/fastapi-websocket), [WebSocket Server](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/transport/websocket-server), Local                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | `pip install "pipecat-ai[daily]"`       |
+| Video               | [Tavus](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/video/tavus), [Simli](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/video/simli)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | `pip install "pipecat-ai[tavus,simli]"` |
+| Vision & Image      | [fal](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/image-generation/fal), [Google Imagen](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/image-generation/fal), [Moondream](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/vision/moondream)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | `pip install "pipecat-ai[moondream]"`   |
+| Audio Processing    | [Silero VAD](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/utilities/audio/silero-vad-analyzer), [Krisp](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/utilities/audio/krisp-filter), [Koala](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/utilities/audio/koala-filter), [Noisereduce](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/utilities/audio/noisereduce-filter)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | `pip install "pipecat-ai[silero]"`      |
+| Analytics & Metrics | [Canonical AI](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/analytics/canonical), [Sentry](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/analytics/sentry)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             | `pip install "pipecat-ai[canonical]"`   |
 
 📚 [View full services documentation →](https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/supported-services)
 
diff --git a/dev-requirements.txt b/dev-requirements.txt
index e65c2755c..af1c35721 100644
--- a/dev-requirements.txt
+++ b/dev-requirements.txt
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ pre-commit~=4.0.1
 pyright~=1.1.397
 pytest~=8.3.4
 pytest-asyncio~=0.25.3
+pytest-aiohttp==1.1.0
 ruff~=0.11.1
 setuptools~=70.0.0
 setuptools_scm~=8.1.0
diff --git a/dot-env.template b/dot-env.template
index 2da20fc0b..f0b5bdc0f 100644
--- a/dot-env.template
+++ b/dot-env.template
@@ -90,3 +90,6 @@ ASSEMBLYAI_API_KEY=...
 
 # OpenRouter
 OPENROUTER_API_KEY=...
+
+# Piper
+PIPER_BASE_URL=...
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/examples/foundational/01-say-one-thing-piper.py b/examples/foundational/01-say-one-thing-piper.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..256447c23
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/foundational/01-say-one-thing-piper.py
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+#
+# Copyright (c) 2024–2025, Daily
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD 2-Clause License
+#
+
+import asyncio
+import os
+import sys
+
+import aiohttp
+from dotenv import load_dotenv
+from loguru import logger
+from runner import configure
+
+from pipecat.frames.frames import EndFrame, TTSSpeakFrame
+from pipecat.pipeline.pipeline import Pipeline
+from pipecat.pipeline.runner import PipelineRunner
+from pipecat.pipeline.task import PipelineTask
+from pipecat.services.piper import PiperTTSService
+from pipecat.transports.services.daily import DailyParams, DailyTransport
+
+load_dotenv(override=True)
+
+logger.remove(0)
+logger.add(sys.stderr, level="DEBUG")
+
+
+async def main():
+    async with aiohttp.ClientSession() as session:
+        (room_url, _) = await configure(session)
+
+        transport = DailyTransport(
+            room_url, None, "Say One Thing", DailyParams(audio_out_enabled=True)
+        )
+
+        tts = PiperTTSService(
+            base_url=os.getenv("PIPER_BASE_URL"), aiohttp_session=session, sample_rate=24000
+        )
+
+        runner = PipelineRunner()
+
+        task = PipelineTask(Pipeline([tts, transport.output()]))
+
+        # Register an event handler so we can play the audio when the
+        # participant joins.
+        @transport.event_handler("on_first_participant_joined")
+        async def on_first_participant_joined(transport, participant):
+            await task.queue_frames(
+                [TTSSpeakFrame(f"Hello there, how are you today ?"), EndFrame()]
+            )
+
+        await runner.run(task)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    asyncio.run(main())
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07e-interruptible-playht.py b/examples/foundational/07e-interruptible-playht.py
index 5ccb96c15..c402c09db 100644
--- a/examples/foundational/07e-interruptible-playht.py
+++ b/examples/foundational/07e-interruptible-playht.py
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ async def main():
         tts = PlayHTTTSService(
             user_id=os.getenv("PLAYHT_USER_ID"),
             api_key=os.getenv("PLAYHT_API_KEY"),
-            voice_url="s3://voice-cloning-zero-shot/d9ff78ba-d016-47f6-b0ef-dd630f59414e/female-cs/manifest.json",
+            voice_url="s3://voice-cloning-zero-shot/e46b4027-b38d-4d24-b292-38fbca2be0ef/original/manifest.json",
             params=PlayHTTTSService.InputParams(language=Language.EN),
         )
 
diff --git a/examples/foundational/07y-interruptible-groq.py b/examples/foundational/07y-interruptible-groq.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9e5719c21
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/foundational/07y-interruptible-groq.py
@@ -0,0 +1,101 @@
+#
+# Copyright (c) 2024–2025, Daily
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD 2-Clause License
+#
+
+import asyncio
+import os
+import sys
+
+import aiohttp
+from dotenv import load_dotenv
+from loguru import logger
+from runner import configure
+
+from pipecat.audio.vad.silero import SileroVADAnalyzer
+from pipecat.pipeline.pipeline import Pipeline
+from pipecat.pipeline.runner import PipelineRunner
+from pipecat.pipeline.task import PipelineParams, PipelineTask
+from pipecat.processors.aggregators.openai_llm_context import OpenAILLMContext
+from pipecat.services.groq import GroqLLMService, GroqSTTService, GroqTTSService
+from pipecat.transports.services.daily import DailyParams, DailyTransport
+
+load_dotenv(override=True)
+
+logger.remove(0)
+logger.add(sys.stderr, level="DEBUG")
+
+
+async def main():
+    async with aiohttp.ClientSession() as session:
+        (room_url, token) = await configure(session)
+
+        transport = DailyTransport(
+            room_url,
+            token,
+            "Respond bot",
+            DailyParams(
+                audio_out_enabled=True,
+                # transcription_enabled=True,
+                vad_enabled=True,
+                vad_analyzer=SileroVADAnalyzer(),
+                vad_audio_passthrough=True,
+            ),
+        )
+
+        stt = GroqSTTService(api_key=os.getenv("GROQ_API_KEY"))
+
+        llm = GroqLLMService(api_key=os.getenv("GROQ_API_KEY"), model="llama-3.3-70b-versatile")
+
+        tts = GroqTTSService(api_key=os.getenv("GROQ_API_KEY"))
+
+        messages = [
+            {
+                "role": "system",
+                "content": "You are a helpful LLM in a WebRTC call. Your goal is to demonstrate your capabilities in a succinct way. Your output will be converted to audio so don't include special characters in your answers. Respond to what the user said in a creative and helpful way.",
+            },
+        ]
+
+        context = OpenAILLMContext(messages)
+        context_aggregator = llm.create_context_aggregator(context)
+
+        pipeline = Pipeline(
+            [
+                transport.input(),  # Transport user input
+                stt,
+                context_aggregator.user(),  # User responses
+                llm,  # LLM
+                tts,  # TTS
+                transport.output(),  # Transport bot output
+                context_aggregator.assistant(),  # Assistant spoken responses
+            ]
+        )
+
+        task = PipelineTask(
+            pipeline,
+            params=PipelineParams(
+                allow_interruptions=True,
+                enable_metrics=True,
+                enable_usage_metrics=True,
+            ),
+        )
+
+        @transport.event_handler("on_first_participant_joined")
+        async def on_first_participant_joined(transport, participant):
+            await transport.capture_participant_transcription(participant["id"])
+            # Kick off the conversation.
+            messages.append({"role": "system", "content": "Please introduce yourself to the user."})
+            await task.queue_frames([context_aggregator.user().get_context_frame()])
+
+        @transport.event_handler("on_participant_left")
+        async def on_participant_left(transport, participant, reason):
+            await task.cancel()
+
+        runner = PipelineRunner()
+
+        await runner.run(task)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    asyncio.run(main())
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index 0d1e46ed9..0f2e993ae 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ cartesia = [ "cartesia~=1.4.0", "websockets~=13.1" ]
 neuphonic = [ "pyneuphonic~=1.5.13", "websockets~=13.1" ]
 cerebras = []
 deepseek = []
-daily = [ "daily-python~=0.15.0" ]
+daily = [ "daily-python~=0.16.1" ]
 deepgram = [ "deepgram-sdk~=3.8.0" ]
 elevenlabs = [ "websockets~=13.1" ]
 fal = [ "fal-client~=0.5.9" ]
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ fish = [ "ormsgpack~=1.7.0", "websockets~=13.1" ]
 gladia = [ "websockets~=13.1" ]
 google = [ "google-cloud-speech~=2.31.1", "google-cloud-texttospeech~=2.25.1", "google-genai~=1.7.0", "google-generativeai~=0.8.4" ]
 grok = []
-groq = []
+groq = [ "groq~=0.20.0" ]
 gstreamer = [ "pygobject~=3.50.0" ]
 fireworks = []
 krisp = [ "pipecat-ai-krisp~=0.3.0" ]
diff --git a/src/pipecat/frames/frames.proto b/src/pipecat/frames/frames.proto
index 98dc014db..ebdb16fcc 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/frames/frames.proto
+++ b/src/pipecat/frames/frames.proto
@@ -35,10 +35,15 @@ message TranscriptionFrame {
   string timestamp = 5;
 }
 
+message MessageFrame {
+    string data = 1;
+}
+
 message Frame {
   oneof frame {
     TextFrame text = 1;
     AudioRawFrame audio = 2;
     TranscriptionFrame transcription = 3;
+    MessageFrame message = 4;
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/pipecat/frames/frames.py b/src/pipecat/frames/frames.py
index c2a79461f..30d8622d9 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/frames/frames.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/frames/frames.py
@@ -363,6 +363,13 @@ class LLMSetToolsFrame(DataFrame):
     tools: List[dict]
 
 
+@dataclass
+class LLMSetToolChoiceFrame(DataFrame):
+    """A frame containing a tool choice for an LLM to use for function calling."""
+
+    tool_choice: Literal["none", "auto", "required"] | dict
+
+
 @dataclass
 class LLMEnablePromptCachingFrame(DataFrame):
     """A frame to enable/disable prompt caching in certain LLMs."""
@@ -384,7 +391,7 @@ class FunctionCallResultFrame(DataFrame):
 
     function_name: str
     tool_call_id: str
-    arguments: str
+    arguments: Any
     result: Any
     properties: Optional[FunctionCallResultProperties] = None
 
@@ -555,14 +562,14 @@ class UserStartedSpeakingFrame(SystemFrame):
 
     """
 
-    pass
+    emulated: bool = False
 
 
 @dataclass
 class UserStoppedSpeakingFrame(SystemFrame):
     """Emitted by the VAD to indicate that a user stopped speaking."""
 
-    pass
+    emulated: bool = False
 
 
 @dataclass
@@ -633,8 +640,8 @@ class FunctionCallInProgressFrame(SystemFrame):
 
     function_name: str
     tool_call_id: str
-    arguments: str
-    cancel_on_interruption: bool
+    arguments: Any
+    cancel_on_interruption: bool = False
 
 
 @dataclass
diff --git a/src/pipecat/frames/protobufs/frames_pb2.py b/src/pipecat/frames/protobufs/frames_pb2.py
index d58bc8baa..7884c6ccc 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/frames/protobufs/frames_pb2.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/frames/protobufs/frames_pb2.py
@@ -1,12 +1,22 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 # Generated by the protocol buffer compiler.  DO NOT EDIT!
+# NO CHECKED-IN PROTOBUF GENCODE
 # source: frames.proto
-# Protobuf Python Version: 4.25.1
+# Protobuf Python Version: 5.27.2
 """Generated protocol buffer code."""
 from google.protobuf import descriptor as _descriptor
 from google.protobuf import descriptor_pool as _descriptor_pool
+from google.protobuf import runtime_version as _runtime_version
 from google.protobuf import symbol_database as _symbol_database
 from google.protobuf.internal import builder as _builder
+_runtime_version.ValidateProtobufRuntimeVersion(
+    _runtime_version.Domain.PUBLIC,
+    5,
+    27,
+    2,
+    '',
+    'frames.proto'
+)
 # @@protoc_insertion_point(imports)
 
 _sym_db = _symbol_database.Default()
@@ -14,19 +24,21 @@ _sym_db = _symbol_database.Default()
 
 
 
-DESCRIPTOR = _descriptor_pool.Default().AddSerializedFile(b'\n\x0c\x66rames.proto\x12\x07pipecat\"3\n\tTextFrame\x12\n\n\x02id\x18\x01 \x01(\x04\x12\x0c\n\x04name\x18\x02 \x01(\t\x12\x0c\n\x04text\x18\x03 \x01(\t\"}\n\rAudioRawFrame\x12\n\n\x02id\x18\x01 \x01(\x04\x12\x0c\n\x04name\x18\x02 \x01(\t\x12\r\n\x05\x61udio\x18\x03 \x01(\x0c\x12\x13\n\x0bsample_rate\x18\x04 \x01(\r\x12\x14\n\x0cnum_channels\x18\x05 \x01(\r\x12\x10\n\x03pts\x18\x06 \x01(\x04H\x00\x88\x01\x01\x42\x06\n\x04_pts\"`\n\x12TranscriptionFrame\x12\n\n\x02id\x18\x01 \x01(\x04\x12\x0c\n\x04name\x18\x02 \x01(\t\x12\x0c\n\x04text\x18\x03 \x01(\t\x12\x0f\n\x07user_id\x18\x04 \x01(\t\x12\x11\n\ttimestamp\x18\x05 \x01(\t\"\x93\x01\n\x05\x46rame\x12\"\n\x04text\x18\x01 \x01(\x0b\x32\x12.pipecat.TextFrameH\x00\x12\'\n\x05\x61udio\x18\x02 \x01(\x0b\x32\x16.pipecat.AudioRawFrameH\x00\x12\x34\n\rtranscription\x18\x03 \x01(\x0b\x32\x1b.pipecat.TranscriptionFrameH\x00\x42\x07\n\x05\x66rameb\x06proto3')
+DESCRIPTOR = _descriptor_pool.Default().AddSerializedFile(b'\n\x0c\x66rames.proto\x12\x07pipecat\"3\n\tTextFrame\x12\n\n\x02id\x18\x01 \x01(\x04\x12\x0c\n\x04name\x18\x02 \x01(\t\x12\x0c\n\x04text\x18\x03 \x01(\t\"}\n\rAudioRawFrame\x12\n\n\x02id\x18\x01 \x01(\x04\x12\x0c\n\x04name\x18\x02 \x01(\t\x12\r\n\x05\x61udio\x18\x03 \x01(\x0c\x12\x13\n\x0bsample_rate\x18\x04 \x01(\r\x12\x14\n\x0cnum_channels\x18\x05 \x01(\r\x12\x10\n\x03pts\x18\x06 \x01(\x04H\x00\x88\x01\x01\x42\x06\n\x04_pts\"`\n\x12TranscriptionFrame\x12\n\n\x02id\x18\x01 \x01(\x04\x12\x0c\n\x04name\x18\x02 \x01(\t\x12\x0c\n\x04text\x18\x03 \x01(\t\x12\x0f\n\x07user_id\x18\x04 \x01(\t\x12\x11\n\ttimestamp\x18\x05 \x01(\t\"\x1c\n\x0cMessageFrame\x12\x0c\n\x04\x64\x61ta\x18\x01 \x01(\t\"\xbd\x01\n\x05\x46rame\x12\"\n\x04text\x18\x01 \x01(\x0b\x32\x12.pipecat.TextFrameH\x00\x12\'\n\x05\x61udio\x18\x02 \x01(\x0b\x32\x16.pipecat.AudioRawFrameH\x00\x12\x34\n\rtranscription\x18\x03 \x01(\x0b\x32\x1b.pipecat.TranscriptionFrameH\x00\x12(\n\x07message\x18\x04 \x01(\x0b\x32\x15.pipecat.MessageFrameH\x00\x42\x07\n\x05\x66rameb\x06proto3')
 
 _globals = globals()
 _builder.BuildMessageAndEnumDescriptors(DESCRIPTOR, _globals)
 _builder.BuildTopDescriptorsAndMessages(DESCRIPTOR, 'frames_pb2', _globals)
-if _descriptor._USE_C_DESCRIPTORS == False:
-  DESCRIPTOR._options = None
+if not _descriptor._USE_C_DESCRIPTORS:
+  DESCRIPTOR._loaded_options = None
   _globals['_TEXTFRAME']._serialized_start=25
   _globals['_TEXTFRAME']._serialized_end=76
   _globals['_AUDIORAWFRAME']._serialized_start=78
   _globals['_AUDIORAWFRAME']._serialized_end=203
   _globals['_TRANSCRIPTIONFRAME']._serialized_start=205
   _globals['_TRANSCRIPTIONFRAME']._serialized_end=301
-  _globals['_FRAME']._serialized_start=304
-  _globals['_FRAME']._serialized_end=451
+  _globals['_MESSAGEFRAME']._serialized_start=303
+  _globals['_MESSAGEFRAME']._serialized_end=331
+  _globals['_FRAME']._serialized_start=334
+  _globals['_FRAME']._serialized_end=523
 # @@protoc_insertion_point(module_scope)
diff --git a/src/pipecat/processors/aggregators/llm_response.py b/src/pipecat/processors/aggregators/llm_response.py
index 75435a214..e40ad266b 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/processors/aggregators/llm_response.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/processors/aggregators/llm_response.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 
 import asyncio
 from abc import abstractmethod
-from typing import Dict, List
+from typing import Dict, List, Literal, Set
 
 from loguru import logger
 
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ from pipecat.frames.frames import (
     LLMMessagesAppendFrame,
     LLMMessagesFrame,
     LLMMessagesUpdateFrame,
+    LLMSetToolChoiceFrame,
     LLMSetToolsFrame,
     LLMTextFrame,
     OpenAILLMContextAssistantTimestampFrame,
@@ -140,6 +141,11 @@ class BaseLLMResponseAggregator(FrameProcessor):
         """Set LLM tools to be used in the current conversation."""
         pass
 
+    @abstractmethod
+    def set_tool_choice(self, tool_choice):
+        """Set the tool choice. This should modify the LLM context."""
+        pass
+
     @abstractmethod
     def reset(self):
         """Reset the internals of this aggregator. This should not modify the
@@ -204,6 +210,9 @@ class LLMContextResponseAggregator(BaseLLMResponseAggregator):
     def set_tools(self, tools: List):
         self._context.set_tools(tools)
 
+    def set_tool_choice(self, tool_choice: Literal["none", "auto", "required"] | dict):
+        self._context.set_tool_choice(tool_choice)
+
     def reset(self):
         self._aggregation = ""
 
@@ -240,7 +249,7 @@ class LLMUserContextAggregator(LLMContextResponseAggregator):
         self._waiting_for_aggregation = False
 
     async def handle_aggregation(self, aggregation: str):
-        self._context.add_message({"role": self.role, "content": self._aggregation})
+        self._context.add_message({"role": self.role, "content": aggregation})
 
     async def process_frame(self, frame: Frame, direction: FrameDirection):
         await super().process_frame(frame, direction)
@@ -274,17 +283,21 @@ class LLMUserContextAggregator(LLMContextResponseAggregator):
             self.set_messages(frame.messages)
         elif isinstance(frame, LLMSetToolsFrame):
             self.set_tools(frame.tools)
+        elif isinstance(frame, LLMSetToolChoiceFrame):
+            self.set_tool_choice(frame.tool_choice)
         else:
             await self.push_frame(frame, direction)
 
     async def push_aggregation(self):
         if len(self._aggregation) > 0:
-            await self.handle_aggregation(self._aggregation)
+            aggregation = self._aggregation
 
             # Reset the aggregation. Reset it before pushing it down, otherwise
             # if the tasks gets cancelled we won't be able to clear things up.
             self.reset()
 
+            await self.handle_aggregation(aggregation)
+
             frame = OpenAILLMContextFrame(self._context)
             await self.push_frame(frame)
 
@@ -297,10 +310,16 @@ class LLMUserContextAggregator(LLMContextResponseAggregator):
     async def _cancel(self, frame: CancelFrame):
         await self._cancel_aggregation_task()
 
-    async def _handle_user_started_speaking(self, _: UserStartedSpeakingFrame):
+    async def _handle_user_started_speaking(self, frame: UserStartedSpeakingFrame):
         self._user_speaking = True
         self._waiting_for_aggregation = True
 
+        # If we get a non-emulated UserStartedSpeakingFrame but we are in the
+        # middle of emulating VAD, let's stop emulating VAD (i.e. don't send the
+        # EmulateUserStoppedSpeakingFrame).
+        if not frame.emulated and self._emulating_vad:
+            self._emulating_vad = False
+
     async def _handle_user_stopped_speaking(self, _: UserStoppedSpeakingFrame):
         self._user_speaking = False
         # We just stopped speaking. Let's see if there's some aggregation to
@@ -380,6 +399,7 @@ class LLMAssistantContextAggregator(LLMContextResponseAggregator):
 
         self._started = 0
         self._function_calls_in_progress: Dict[str, FunctionCallInProgressFrame] = {}
+        self._context_updated_tasks: Set[asyncio.Task] = set()
 
     async def handle_aggregation(self, aggregation: str):
         self._context.add_message({"role": "assistant", "content": aggregation})
@@ -414,6 +434,8 @@ class LLMAssistantContextAggregator(LLMContextResponseAggregator):
             self.set_messages(frame.messages)
         elif isinstance(frame, LLMSetToolsFrame):
             self.set_tools(frame.tools)
+        elif isinstance(frame, LLMSetToolChoiceFrame):
+            self.set_tool_choice(frame.tool_choice)
         elif isinstance(frame, FunctionCallInProgressFrame):
             await self._handle_function_call_in_progress(frame)
         elif isinstance(frame, FunctionCallResultFrame):
@@ -486,10 +508,14 @@ class LLMAssistantContextAggregator(LLMContextResponseAggregator):
             if run_llm:
                 await self.push_context_frame(FrameDirection.UPSTREAM)
 
-        # Emit the on_context_updated callback once the function call
-        # result is added to the context
+        # Call the `on_context_updated` callback once the function call result
+        # is added to the context. Also, run this in a separate task to make
+        # sure we don't block the pipeline.
         if properties and properties.on_context_updated:
-            await properties.on_context_updated()
+            task_name = f"{frame.function_name}:{frame.tool_call_id}:on_context_updated"
+            task = self.create_task(properties.on_context_updated(), task_name)
+            self._context_updated_tasks.add(task)
+            task.add_done_callback(self._context_updated_task_finished)
 
     async def _handle_function_call_cancel(self, frame: FunctionCallCancelFrame):
         logger.debug(
@@ -535,6 +561,13 @@ class LLMAssistantContextAggregator(LLMContextResponseAggregator):
         else:
             self._aggregation += frame.text
 
+    def _context_updated_task_finished(self, task: asyncio.Task):
+        self._context_updated_tasks.discard(task)
+        # The task is finished so this should exit immediately. We need to do
+        # this because otherwise the task manager would report a dangling task
+        # if we don't remove it.
+        asyncio.run_coroutine_threadsafe(self.wait_for_task(task), self.get_event_loop())
+
 
 class LLMUserResponseAggregator(LLMUserContextAggregator):
     def __init__(self, messages: List[dict] = [], **kwargs):
diff --git a/src/pipecat/processors/frame_processor.py b/src/pipecat/processors/frame_processor.py
index 847cdf175..590698e7f 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/processors/frame_processor.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/processors/frame_processor.py
@@ -147,10 +147,13 @@ class FrameProcessor(BaseObject):
         await self.stop_ttfb_metrics()
         await self.stop_processing_metrics()
 
-    def create_task(self, coroutine: Coroutine) -> asyncio.Task:
+    def create_task(self, coroutine: Coroutine, name: Optional[str] = None) -> asyncio.Task:
         if not self._task_manager:
             raise Exception(f"{self} TaskManager is still not initialized.")
-        name = f"{self}::{coroutine.cr_code.co_name}"
+        if name:
+            name = f"{self}::{name}"
+        else:
+            name = f"{self}::{coroutine.cr_code.co_name}"
         return self._task_manager.create_task(coroutine, name)
 
     async def cancel_task(self, task: asyncio.Task, timeout: Optional[float] = None):
diff --git a/src/pipecat/processors/frameworks/rtvi.py b/src/pipecat/processors/frameworks/rtvi.py
index f782e6ea8..eec07a29f 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/processors/frameworks/rtvi.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/processors/frameworks/rtvi.py
@@ -540,10 +540,23 @@ class RTVIObserver(BaseObserver):
             await self.push_transport_message_urgent(message)
 
     async def _handle_context(self, frame: OpenAILLMContextFrame):
+        """Process LLM context frames to extract user messages for the RTVI client."""
         try:
             messages = frame.context.messages
-            if len(messages) > 0:
-                message = messages[-1]
+            if not messages:
+                return
+
+            message = messages[-1]
+
+            # Handle Google LLM format (protobuf objects with attributes)
+            if hasattr(message, "role") and message.role == "user" and hasattr(message, "parts"):
+                text = "".join(part.text for part in message.parts if hasattr(part, "text"))
+                if text:
+                    rtvi_message = RTVIUserLLMTextMessage(data=RTVITextMessageData(text=text))
+                    await self.push_transport_message_urgent(rtvi_message)
+
+            # Handle OpenAI format (original implementation)
+            elif isinstance(message, dict):
                 if message["role"] == "user":
                     content = message["content"]
                     if isinstance(content, list):
@@ -552,7 +565,8 @@ class RTVIObserver(BaseObserver):
                         text = content
                     rtvi_message = RTVIUserLLMTextMessage(data=RTVITextMessageData(text=text))
                     await self.push_transport_message_urgent(rtvi_message)
-        except TypeError as e:
+
+        except Exception as e:
             logger.warning(f"Caught an error while trying to handle context: {e}")
 
     async def _handle_metrics(self, frame: MetricsFrame):
diff --git a/src/pipecat/serializers/protobuf.py b/src/pipecat/serializers/protobuf.py
index 125f2037f..c3b6d86af 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/serializers/protobuf.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/serializers/protobuf.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #
 
 import dataclasses
+import json
 
 from loguru import logger
 
@@ -15,15 +16,24 @@ from pipecat.frames.frames import (
     OutputAudioRawFrame,
     TextFrame,
     TranscriptionFrame,
+    TransportMessageFrame,
+    TransportMessageUrgentFrame,
 )
 from pipecat.serializers.base_serializer import FrameSerializer, FrameSerializerType
 
 
+# Data class for converting transport messages into Protobuf format.
+@dataclasses.dataclass
+class MessageFrame:
+    data: str
+
+
 class ProtobufFrameSerializer(FrameSerializer):
     SERIALIZABLE_TYPES = {
         TextFrame: "text",
         OutputAudioRawFrame: "audio",
         TranscriptionFrame: "transcription",
+        MessageFrame: "message",
     }
     SERIALIZABLE_FIELDS = {v: k for k, v in SERIALIZABLE_TYPES.items()}
 
@@ -42,6 +52,12 @@ class ProtobufFrameSerializer(FrameSerializer):
         return FrameSerializerType.BINARY
 
     async def serialize(self, frame: Frame) -> str | bytes | None:
+        # Wrapping this messages as a JSONFrame to send
+        if isinstance(frame, (TransportMessageFrame, TransportMessageUrgentFrame)):
+            frame = MessageFrame(
+                data=json.dumps(frame.message),
+            )
+
         proto_frame = frame_protos.Frame()
         if type(frame) not in self.SERIALIZABLE_TYPES:
             logger.warning(f"Frame type {type(frame)} is not serializable")
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/ai_services.py b/src/pipecat/services/ai_services.py
index 9f9804e65..97aad0d40 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/ai_services.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/ai_services.py
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ class LLMService(AIService):
         if tuple_to_remove:
             self._function_call_tasks.discard(tuple_to_remove)
             # The task is finished so this should exit immediately. We need to
-            # do this because otherwise the task manager would have a dangling
+            # do this because otherwise the task manager would report a dangling
             # task if we don't remove it.
             asyncio.run_coroutine_threadsafe(self.wait_for_task(task), self.get_event_loop())
 
@@ -1048,9 +1048,14 @@ class SegmentedSTTService(STTService):
             await self._handle_user_stopped_speaking(frame)
 
     async def _handle_user_started_speaking(self, frame: UserStartedSpeakingFrame):
+        if frame.emulated:
+            return
         self._user_speaking = True
 
     async def _handle_user_stopped_speaking(self, frame: UserStoppedSpeakingFrame):
+        if frame.emulated:
+            return
+
         self._user_speaking = False
 
         content = io.BytesIO()
@@ -1068,7 +1073,7 @@ class SegmentedSTTService(STTService):
         self._audio_buffer.clear()
 
     async def process_audio_frame(self, frame: AudioRawFrame, direction: FrameDirection):
-        # If the user is speaking the audio buffer will keep growin.
+        # If the user is speaking the audio buffer will keep growing.
         self._audio_buffer += frame.audio
 
         # If the user is not speaking we keep just a little bit of audio.
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/anthropic.py b/src/pipecat/services/anthropic.py
index 6a95d04e2..3e369075a 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/anthropic.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/anthropic.py
@@ -725,7 +725,7 @@ class AnthropicAssistantContextAggregator(LLMAssistantContextAggregator):
         )
 
     async def _update_function_call_result(
-        self, function_name: str, tool_call_id: str, result: str
+        self, function_name: str, tool_call_id: str, result: Any
     ):
         for message in self._context.messages:
             if message["role"] == "user":
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/google/google.py b/src/pipecat/services/google/google.py
index bfddce46d..95c5a1edb 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/google/google.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/google/google.py
@@ -601,13 +601,8 @@ class GoogleAssistantContextAggregator(OpenAIAssistantContextAggregator):
 
     async def handle_function_call_result(self, frame: FunctionCallResultFrame):
         if frame.result:
-            if not isinstance(frame.result, str):
-                return
-
-            response = {"response": frame.result}
-
             await self._update_function_call_result(
-                frame.function_name, frame.tool_call_id, response
+                frame.function_name, frame.tool_call_id, frame.result
             )
         else:
             await self._update_function_call_result(
@@ -626,7 +621,7 @@ class GoogleAssistantContextAggregator(OpenAIAssistantContextAggregator):
             if message.role == "user":
                 for part in message.parts:
                     if part.function_response and part.function_response.id == tool_call_id:
-                        part.function_response.response = {"response": result}
+                        part.function_response.response = {"value": json.dumps(result)}
 
     async def handle_user_image_frame(self, frame: UserImageRawFrame):
         await self._update_function_call_result(
@@ -1348,6 +1343,7 @@ class GoogleVertexLLMService(OpenAILLMService):
         **kwargs,
     ):
         """Initializes the VertexLLMService.
+
         Args:
             credentials (Optional[str]): JSON string of service account credentials.
             credentials_path (Optional[str]): Path to the service account JSON file.
@@ -1371,9 +1367,11 @@ class GoogleVertexLLMService(OpenAILLMService):
     @staticmethod
     def _get_api_token(credentials: Optional[str], credentials_path: Optional[str]) -> str:
         """Retrieves an authentication token using Google service account credentials.
+
         Args:
             credentials (Optional[str]): JSON string of service account credentials.
             credentials_path (Optional[str]): Path to the service account JSON file.
+
         Returns:
             str: OAuth token for API authentication.
         """
@@ -1562,8 +1560,6 @@ class GoogleTTSService(TTSService):
             logger.exception(f"{self} error generating TTS: {e}")
             error_message = f"TTS generation error: {str(e)}"
             yield ErrorFrame(error=error_message)
-        finally:
-            yield TTSStoppedFrame()
 
 
 class GoogleImageGenService(ImageGenService):
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/groq.py b/src/pipecat/services/groq.py
index 66cc9357f..bf0304df2 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/groq.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/groq.py
@@ -5,14 +5,26 @@
 #
 
 
-from typing import Optional
+from typing import AsyncGenerator, Optional
 
 from loguru import logger
+from pydantic import BaseModel
 
+from pipecat.frames.frames import Frame, TTSAudioRawFrame, TTSStartedFrame, TTSStoppedFrame
+from pipecat.services.ai_services import TTSService
 from pipecat.services.base_whisper import BaseWhisperSTTService, Transcription
 from pipecat.services.openai import OpenAILLMService
 from pipecat.transcriptions.language import Language
 
+try:
+    from groq import AsyncGroq
+except ModuleNotFoundError as e:
+    logger.error(f"Exception: {e}")
+    logger.error(
+        "In order to use Groq, you need to `pip install pipecat-ai[groq]`. Also, set a `GROQ_API_KEY` environment variable."
+    )
+    raise Exception(f"Missing module: {e}")
+
 
 class GroqLLMService(OpenAILLMService):
     """A service for interacting with Groq's API using the OpenAI-compatible interface.
@@ -98,3 +110,68 @@ class GroqSTTService(BaseWhisperSTTService):
             kwargs["temperature"] = self._temperature
 
         return await self._client.audio.transcriptions.create(**kwargs)
+
+
+class GroqTTSService(TTSService):
+    class InputParams(BaseModel):
+        language: Optional[Language] = Language.EN
+        speed: Optional[float] = 1.0
+        seed: Optional[int] = None
+
+    GROQ_SAMPLE_RATE = 48000  # Groq TTS only supports 48kHz sample rate
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        *,
+        api_key: str,
+        output_format: str = "wav",
+        params: InputParams = InputParams(),
+        model_name: str = "playai-tts",
+        voice_id: str = "Celeste-PlayAI",
+        sample_rate: Optional[int] = GROQ_SAMPLE_RATE,
+        **kwargs,
+    ):
+        if sample_rate != self.GROQ_SAMPLE_RATE:
+            logger.warning(f"Groq TTS only supports {self.GROQ_SAMPLE_RATE}Hz sample rate. ")
+        super().__init__(
+            pause_frame_processing=True,
+            sample_rate=sample_rate,
+            **kwargs,
+        )
+
+        self._api_key = api_key
+        self._model_name = model_name
+        self._output_format = output_format
+        self._voice_id = voice_id
+        self._params = params
+
+        self._client = AsyncGroq(api_key=self._api_key)
+
+    def can_generate_metrics(self) -> bool:
+        return True
+
+    async def run_tts(self, text: str) -> AsyncGenerator[Frame, None]:
+        logger.debug(f"{self}: Generating TTS [{text}]")
+        measuring_ttfb = True
+        await self.start_ttfb_metrics()
+        yield TTSStartedFrame()
+
+        response = await self._client.audio.speech.create(
+            model=self._model_name,
+            voice=self._voice_id,
+            response_format=self._output_format,
+            input=text,
+        )
+
+        async for data in response.iter_bytes():
+            if measuring_ttfb:
+                await self.stop_ttfb_metrics()
+                measuring_ttfb = False
+            # remove wav header if present
+            if data.startswith(b"RIFF"):
+                data = data[44:]
+                if len(data) == 0:
+                    continue
+            yield TTSAudioRawFrame(data, self.sample_rate, 1)
+
+        yield TTSStoppedFrame()
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/openai.py b/src/pipecat/services/openai.py
index ff7bc0442..3f85d917c 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/services/openai.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/openai.py
@@ -391,6 +391,7 @@ class OpenAIImageGenService(ImageGenService):
         self,
         *,
         api_key: str,
+        base_url: Optional[str] = None,
         aiohttp_session: aiohttp.ClientSession,
         image_size: Literal["256x256", "512x512", "1024x1024", "1792x1024", "1024x1792"],
         model: str = "dall-e-3",
@@ -398,7 +399,7 @@ class OpenAIImageGenService(ImageGenService):
         super().__init__()
         self.set_model_name(model)
         self._image_size = image_size
-        self._client = AsyncOpenAI(api_key=api_key)
+        self._client = AsyncOpenAI(api_key=api_key, base_url=base_url)
         self._aiohttp_session = aiohttp_session
 
     async def run_image_gen(self, prompt: str) -> AsyncGenerator[Frame, None]:
@@ -501,9 +502,11 @@ class OpenAITTSService(TTSService):
         self,
         *,
         api_key: Optional[str] = None,
+        base_url: Optional[str] = None,
         voice: str = "alloy",
         model: str = "gpt-4o-mini-tts",
         sample_rate: Optional[int] = None,
+        instructions: Optional[str] = None,
         **kwargs,
     ):
         if sample_rate and sample_rate != self.OPENAI_SAMPLE_RATE:
@@ -515,8 +518,8 @@ class OpenAITTSService(TTSService):
 
         self.set_model_name(model)
         self.set_voice(voice)
-
-        self._client = AsyncOpenAI(api_key=api_key)
+        self._instructions = instructions
+        self._client = AsyncOpenAI(api_key=api_key, base_url=base_url)
 
     def can_generate_metrics(self) -> bool:
         return True
@@ -538,11 +541,17 @@ class OpenAITTSService(TTSService):
         try:
             await self.start_ttfb_metrics()
 
+            # Setup extra body parameters
+            extra_body = {}
+            if self._instructions:
+                extra_body["instructions"] = self._instructions
+
             async with self._client.audio.speech.with_streaming_response.create(
                 input=text or " ",  # Text must contain at least one character
                 model=self.model_name,
                 voice=VALID_VOICES[self._voice_id],
                 response_format="pcm",
+                extra_body=extra_body,
             ) as r:
                 if r.status_code != 200:
                     error = await r.text()
@@ -613,7 +622,7 @@ class OpenAIAssistantContextAggregator(LLMAssistantContextAggregator):
         )
 
     async def _update_function_call_result(
-        self, function_name: str, tool_call_id: str, result: str
+        self, function_name: str, tool_call_id: str, result: Any
     ):
         for message in self._context.messages:
             if (
diff --git a/src/pipecat/services/piper.py b/src/pipecat/services/piper.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..12a936889
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/pipecat/services/piper.py
@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+#
+# Copyright (c) 2024–2025, Daily
+#
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD 2-Clause License
+#
+
+from typing import AsyncGenerator, Optional
+
+import aiohttp
+from loguru import logger
+
+from pipecat.frames.frames import (
+    ErrorFrame,
+    Frame,
+    TTSAudioRawFrame,
+    TTSStartedFrame,
+    TTSStoppedFrame,
+)
+from pipecat.services.ai_services import TTSService
+
+
+# This assumes a running TTS service running: https://github.com/rhasspy/piper/blob/master/src/python_run/README_http.md
+class PiperTTSService(TTSService):
+    """Piper TTS service implementation.
+
+    Provides integration with Piper's TTS server.
+
+    Args:
+        base_url: API base URL
+        aiohttp_session: aiohttp ClientSession
+        sample_rate: Output sample rate
+    """
+
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        *,
+        base_url: str,
+        aiohttp_session: aiohttp.ClientSession,
+        # When using Piper, the sample rate of the generated audio depends on the
+        # voice model being used.
+        sample_rate: Optional[int] = None,
+        **kwargs,
+    ):
+        super().__init__(sample_rate=sample_rate, **kwargs)
+
+        if base_url.endswith("/"):
+            logger.warning("Base URL ends with a slash, this is not allowed.")
+            base_url = base_url[:-1]
+
+        self._base_url = base_url
+        self._session = aiohttp_session
+        self._settings = {"base_url": base_url}
+
+    def can_generate_metrics(self) -> bool:
+        return True
+
+    async def run_tts(self, text: str) -> AsyncGenerator[Frame, None]:
+        """Generate speech from text using Piper API.
+
+        Args:
+            text: The text to convert to speech
+
+        Yields:
+            Frames containing audio data and status information
+        """
+        logger.debug(f"{self}: Generating TTS [{text}]")
+        headers = {
+            "Content-Type": "text/plain",
+        }
+        try:
+            await self.start_ttfb_metrics()
+
+            async with self._session.post(self._base_url, data=text, headers=headers) as response:
+                if response.status != 200:
+                    eror = await response.text()
+                    logger.error(
+                        f"{self} error getting audio (status: {response.status}, error: {eror})"
+                    )
+                    yield ErrorFrame(
+                        f"Error getting audio (status: {response.status}, error: {eror})"
+                    )
+                    return
+
+                await self.start_tts_usage_metrics(text)
+
+                # Process the streaming response
+                CHUNK_SIZE = 1024
+
+                yield TTSStartedFrame()
+                async for chunk in response.content.iter_chunked(CHUNK_SIZE):
+                    # remove wav header if present
+                    if chunk.startswith(b"RIFF"):
+                        chunk = chunk[44:]
+                    if len(chunk) > 0:
+                        await self.stop_ttfb_metrics()
+                        yield TTSAudioRawFrame(chunk, self.sample_rate, 1)
+        except Exception as e:
+            logger.error(f"Error in run_tts: {e}")
+            yield ErrorFrame(error=str(e))
+        finally:
+            logger.debug(f"{self}: Finished TTS [{text}]")
+            await self.stop_ttfb_metrics()
+            yield TTSStoppedFrame()
diff --git a/src/pipecat/transports/base_input.py b/src/pipecat/transports/base_input.py
index 971dfe066..26f386576 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/transports/base_input.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/transports/base_input.py
@@ -117,10 +117,10 @@ class BaseInputTransport(FrameProcessor):
             await self._handle_bot_interruption(frame)
         elif isinstance(frame, EmulateUserStartedSpeakingFrame):
             logger.debug("Emulating user started speaking")
-            await self._handle_user_interruption(UserStartedSpeakingFrame())
+            await self._handle_user_interruption(UserStartedSpeakingFrame(emulated=True))
         elif isinstance(frame, EmulateUserStoppedSpeakingFrame):
             logger.debug("Emulating user stopped speaking")
-            await self._handle_user_interruption(UserStoppedSpeakingFrame())
+            await self._handle_user_interruption(UserStoppedSpeakingFrame(emulated=True))
         # All other system frames
         elif isinstance(frame, SystemFrame):
             await self.push_frame(frame, direction)
diff --git a/tests/test_context_aggregators.py b/tests/test_context_aggregators.py
index 185725632..df00f11e4 100644
--- a/tests/test_context_aggregators.py
+++ b/tests/test_context_aggregators.py
@@ -4,13 +4,18 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: BSD 2-Clause License
 #
 
+import json
 import unittest
+from typing import Any
 
 import google.ai.generativelanguage as glm
 
 from pipecat.frames.frames import (
     EmulateUserStartedSpeakingFrame,
     EmulateUserStoppedSpeakingFrame,
+    FunctionCallInProgressFrame,
+    FunctionCallResultFrame,
+    FunctionCallResultProperties,
     InterimTranscriptionFrame,
     LLMFullResponseEndFrame,
     LLMFullResponseStartFrame,
@@ -21,10 +26,7 @@ from pipecat.frames.frames import (
     UserStartedSpeakingFrame,
     UserStoppedSpeakingFrame,
 )
-from pipecat.processors.aggregators.llm_response import (
-    LLMAssistantContextAggregator,
-    LLMUserContextAggregator,
-)
+from pipecat.processors.aggregators.llm_response import LLMUserContextAggregator
 from pipecat.processors.aggregators.openai_llm_context import (
     OpenAILLMContext,
     OpenAILLMContextFrame,
@@ -423,6 +425,9 @@ class BaseTestAssistantContextAggreagator:
     ):
         assert context.messages[index]["content"] == content
 
+    def check_function_call_result(self, context: OpenAILLMContext, index: int, content: str):
+        assert json.loads(context.messages[index]["content"]) == content
+
     async def test_empty(self):
         assert self.CONTEXT_CLASS is not None, "CONTEXT_CLASS must be set in a subclass"
         assert self.AGGREGATOR_CLASS is not None, "AGGREGATOR_CLASS must be set in a subclass"
@@ -556,9 +561,76 @@ class BaseTestAssistantContextAggreagator:
         self.check_message_multi_content(context, 0, 0, "Hello Pipecat.")
         self.check_message_multi_content(context, 0, 1, "How are you?")
 
+    async def test_function_call(self):
+        assert self.CONTEXT_CLASS is not None, "CONTEXT_CLASS must be set in a subclass"
+        assert self.AGGREGATOR_CLASS is not None, "AGGREGATOR_CLASS must be set in a subclass"
+
+        context = self.CONTEXT_CLASS()
+        aggregator = self.AGGREGATOR_CLASS(context)
+        frames_to_send = [
+            FunctionCallInProgressFrame(
+                function_name="get_weather",
+                tool_call_id="1",
+                arguments={"location": "Los Angeles"},
+                cancel_on_interruption=False,
+            ),
+            SleepFrame(),
+            FunctionCallResultFrame(
+                function_name="get_weather",
+                tool_call_id="1",
+                arguments={"location": "Los Angeles"},
+                result={"conditions": "Sunny"},
+            ),
+        ]
+        expected_down_frames = []
+        await run_test(
+            aggregator,
+            frames_to_send=frames_to_send,
+            expected_down_frames=expected_down_frames,
+        )
+        self.check_function_call_result(context, -1, {"conditions": "Sunny"})
+
+    async def test_function_call_on_context_updated(self):
+        assert self.CONTEXT_CLASS is not None, "CONTEXT_CLASS must be set in a subclass"
+        assert self.AGGREGATOR_CLASS is not None, "AGGREGATOR_CLASS must be set in a subclass"
+
+        context_updated = False
+
+        async def on_context_updated():
+            nonlocal context_updated
+            context_updated = True
+
+        context = self.CONTEXT_CLASS()
+        aggregator = self.AGGREGATOR_CLASS(context)
+        frames_to_send = [
+            FunctionCallInProgressFrame(
+                function_name="get_weather",
+                tool_call_id="1",
+                arguments={"location": "Los Angeles"},
+                cancel_on_interruption=False,
+            ),
+            SleepFrame(),
+            FunctionCallResultFrame(
+                function_name="get_weather",
+                tool_call_id="1",
+                arguments={"location": "Los Angeles"},
+                result={"conditions": "Sunny"},
+                properties=FunctionCallResultProperties(on_context_updated=on_context_updated),
+            ),
+            SleepFrame(),
+        ]
+        expected_down_frames = []
+        await run_test(
+            aggregator,
+            frames_to_send=frames_to_send,
+            expected_down_frames=expected_down_frames,
+        )
+        self.check_function_call_result(context, -1, {"conditions": "Sunny"})
+        assert context_updated
+
 
 #
-# LLMUserContextAggregator, LLMAssistantContextAggregator
+# LLMUserContextAggregator
 #
 
 
@@ -567,14 +639,6 @@ class TestLLMUserContextAggregator(BaseTestUserContextAggregator, unittest.Isola
     AGGREGATOR_CLASS = LLMUserContextAggregator
 
 
-class TestLLMAssistantContextAggregator(
-    BaseTestAssistantContextAggreagator, unittest.IsolatedAsyncioTestCase
-):
-    CONTEXT_CLASS = OpenAILLMContext
-    AGGREGATOR_CLASS = LLMAssistantContextAggregator
-    EXPECTED_CONTEXT_FRAMES = [OpenAILLMContextFrame, OpenAILLMContextAssistantTimestampFrame]
-
-
 #
 # OpenAI
 #
@@ -626,6 +690,9 @@ class TestAnthropicAssistantContextAggregator(
         messages = context.messages[content_index]
         assert messages["content"][index]["text"] == content
 
+    def check_function_call_result(self, context: OpenAILLMContext, index: int, content: Any):
+        assert context.messages[index]["content"][0]["content"] == json.dumps(content)
+
 
 #
 # Google
@@ -665,3 +732,7 @@ class TestGoogleAssistantContextAggregator(
     ):
         obj = glm.Content.to_dict(context.messages[index])
         assert obj["parts"][0]["text"] == content
+
+    def check_function_call_result(self, context: OpenAILLMContext, index: int, content: Any):
+        obj = glm.Content.to_dict(context.messages[index])
+        assert obj["parts"][0]["function_response"]["response"]["value"] == json.dumps(content)
diff --git a/tests/test_piper_tts.py b/tests/test_piper_tts.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..8db6bf1d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_piper_tts.py
@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+"""Tests for PiperTTSService."""
+
+import asyncio
+
+import aiohttp
+import pytest
+from aiohttp import web
+
+from pipecat.frames.frames import (
+    ErrorFrame,
+    TTSAudioRawFrame,
+    TTSSpeakFrame,
+    TTSStartedFrame,
+    TTSStoppedFrame,
+    TTSTextFrame,
+)
+from pipecat.services.piper import PiperTTSService
+from pipecat.tests.utils import run_test
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_run_piper_tts_success(aiohttp_client):
+    """Test successful TTS generation with chunked audio data.
+
+    Checks frames for TTSStartedFrame -> TTSAudioRawFrame -> TTSStoppedFrame.
+    """
+
+    async def handler(request):
+        # The service expects a /?text= param
+        # Here we're just returning dummy chunked bytes to simulate an audio response
+        text_query = request.rel_url.query.get("text", "")
+        print(f"Mock server received text param: {text_query}")
+
+        # Prepare a StreamResponse with chunked data
+        resp = web.StreamResponse(
+            status=200,
+            reason="OK",
+            headers={"Content-Type": "audio/raw"},
+        )
+        await resp.prepare(request)
+
+        # Write out some chunked byte data
+        # In reality, you’d return WAV data or similar
+        data_chunk_1 = b"\x00\x01\x02\x03" * 1024  # 4096 bytes, 04 TTSAudioRawFrame
+        data_chunk_2 = b"\x04\x05\x06\x07" * 1024  # another chunk
+        await resp.write(data_chunk_1)
+        await asyncio.sleep(0.01)  # simulate async chunk delay
+        await resp.write(data_chunk_2)
+        await resp.write_eof()
+
+        return resp
+
+    # Create an aiohttp test server
+    app = web.Application()
+    app.router.add_post("/", handler)
+    client = await aiohttp_client(app)
+
+    # Remove trailing slash if present in the test URL
+    base_url = str(client.make_url("")).rstrip("/")
+
+    async with aiohttp.ClientSession() as session:
+        # Instantiate PiperTTSService with our mock server
+        tts_service = PiperTTSService(base_url=base_url, aiohttp_session=session, sample_rate=24000)
+
+        frames_to_send = [
+            TTSSpeakFrame(text="Hello world."),
+        ]
+
+        expected_returned_frames = [
+            TTSStartedFrame,
+            TTSAudioRawFrame,
+            TTSAudioRawFrame,
+            TTSAudioRawFrame,
+            TTSAudioRawFrame,
+            TTSAudioRawFrame,
+            TTSAudioRawFrame,
+            TTSAudioRawFrame,
+            TTSAudioRawFrame,
+            TTSStoppedFrame,
+            TTSTextFrame,
+        ]
+
+        frames_received = await run_test(
+            tts_service,
+            frames_to_send=frames_to_send,
+            expected_down_frames=expected_returned_frames,
+        )
+        down_frames = frames_received[0]
+        audio_frames = [f for f in down_frames if isinstance(f, TTSAudioRawFrame)]
+        for a_frame in audio_frames:
+            assert a_frame.sample_rate == 24000, "Sample rate should match the default (24000)"
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_run_piper_tts_error(aiohttp_client):
+    """Test how the service handles a non-200 response from the server.
+
+    Expects an ErrorFrame to be returned.
+    """
+
+    async def handler(_request):
+        # Return an error status for any request
+        return web.Response(status=404, text="Not found")
+
+    app = web.Application()
+    app.router.add_post("/", handler)
+    client = await aiohttp_client(app)
+    base_url = str(client.make_url("")).rstrip("/")
+
+    async with aiohttp.ClientSession() as session:
+        tts_service = PiperTTSService(base_url=base_url, aiohttp_session=session, sample_rate=24000)
+
+        frames_to_send = [
+            TTSSpeakFrame(text="Error case."),
+        ]
+
+        expected_down_frames = [TTSStoppedFrame, TTSTextFrame]
+
+        expected_up_frames = [ErrorFrame]
+
+        frames_received = await run_test(
+            tts_service,
+            frames_to_send=frames_to_send,
+            expected_down_frames=expected_down_frames,
+            expected_up_frames=expected_up_frames,
+        )
+        up_frames = frames_received[1]
+
+        assert isinstance(up_frames[0], ErrorFrame), "Must receive an ErrorFrame for 404"
+        assert "status: 404" in up_frames[0].error, (
+            "ErrorFrame should contain details about the 404"
+        )