[January 29, 2002]

Motorola, SpeechWorks Develop Distributed Speech Recognition Prototype For Wireless Networks

SpeechWorks International, Inc. and Motorola, Inc. announced the development of a live prototype for distributed speech recognition (DSR) and multimodal applications using SpeechWorks� OpenSpeech Recognizer (OSR) speech recognition engine and DSR architecture. Motorola believes the prototype is the first known case of DSR working over a deployed wireless network.

A DSR architecture allows applications to combine local speech processing that occurs entirely on the device with remote access to network-based speech services (e.g., �check available product inventory�). For this prototype, signal processing, including noise reduction, occurs on the device, which then sends data over a digital network to a network-based speech service. The network-based speech service processes the resulting signal to determine the users request and responds to the caller using a voice output, visual display, or both. The prototype�s multimodal functionality also allows users to utilize both speech recognition and a visual display on a device to create an enhanced user�s interface.

Demonstrating the prototype�s capabilities to enhance existing enterprise and telecommunications speech applications, SpeechWorks and Motorola have created a field-force automation application that allows a sales representative to check the status of any account by speaking into a handheld device from the road, as well as a travel reservation application that allows travelers to check the status of a flight while traveling.

�Distributed speech recognition is essential to improving wireless speech recognition especially in noisy environments like airports and train stations,� said Chris White, Director of Speech Products and Multimodal in Motorola�s Internet Content and Software Group. �SpeechWorks provided us with the technology and professional services that were critical in developing a prototype on a 2.5 G wireless network. We also believe that the multimodal functionality will be an attractive application for sales force automation and other end user applications such as driving directions and personal information management.�

�We are excited to work with Motorola to create a prototype to show wireless carriers the potential of distributed speech recognition and multimodal applications,� said Alan Schwartz, vice president of business development and head of the Automotive and Mobile Devices Customer Focus Unit at SpeechWorks. �We believe that DSR will accelerate the market adoption for speech in wireless applications by allowing carriers and enterprises to more successfully deploy applications on 2.5G and 3G networks.�

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