Speech Technology

Speech Technology

You just say it and it will be done. That is not a sales line from any enthusiastic service retailer. Thanks to the advancement of "speech techno- logy", the time has already come when machines can be expected to operate on just verbal command. Among domestic appliances today, some can turn off lights while other robots can use vacuum cleaners on being told to do so. Two kinds of telephones, which are already in the market in the United States, offer to place calls upon spoken commands like "call the office". Such products are reaching beyond the consumer sector. Speech chips are being used by the military, by doctors and by industries. At Chicago's inter- national airport, luggage these days is routed to appropriate destinations by handlers calling out the name of the place to a computer that just sends the bag to the correct container. Speech technology includes speech synthesis-or the science of teaching computer chips how to talk-and speech recognition-the science of teach- ing them to listen. Synthesising a voice is an easier task. Getting robots to listen has also progressed 'substantially, though speech chips today are generally dependent on particular speakers. In other words, they can be used by one person only. Research is going on to create a system that would respond to anyone's voice. If all this sounds like faddish gimmickry, it would be useful to listen to the voice of Speech Technology magazine. It estimates the industry's current size at $ 450 million, which may grow to $ 1 billion by 1990 in the United States. Meanwhile, the Japanese too are hard at work teaching their machines how to talk and listen. The Times of India, September 6, 1985 Voice Commands Since the dawn of the auto age 2,000 companies have produced nearly 5000 makes of cars in the U.S. But the theory of auto operation has changed little over the last century - most cars still run on the four-stroke interval- combustion engine design. But today's cars do ride more smoothly, use less fuel, last longer, handle and require less maintenance than those of 15 to 20 years ago. The biggest advance in cars comes in a small size - a micro- processor. Hidden in on-board computers in the latest cars, they regulate car operations and warn of malfunctions. Why. cars even talk today - and may be one day they'll even argue. Synthesized commands instruct or rebuke the driver: 'Please fasten your seat belts." "A door is ajar." "Your fuel is low." And you can talk to the cars too. The Ford Motor Company has developed a system by which voice commands turn on car lights, raise the antenna. start the windshield wiper. or activate other electrical systems. Span monthly, May. 1984