[April 20, 2004] New Voice Information Portal Will Deliver Real-Time Traffic Information Via The Telephone Globis Data Inc., a lprovider of real-time traffic information and Vocantas Inc., a solution provider in the application of telephony and speech integration, announced today the signing of an exclusive partnering agreement that will allow real-time traffic information to be available to drivers via the telephone. The agreement is for the development of a voice information portal prototype that combines Globis Data's D.R.I.V.E.S. real-time traffic data with Vocantas' Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and speech recognition technologies to provide drivers with a voice-only, hands-free solution for live traffic information. This service is the first of its kind in Canada and will be available initially as a demonstration system to stakeholders in Ottawa in the summer of 2004. Through Vocantas’ Traffic OnCall solution, callers will be able to access specific traffic information on selected roads in the west end of Ottawa by simply speaking voice commands on the telephone. Globis will provide the real-time traffic information to the system that will then convert the data into real-time audio information for callers. Since the data will be updated every three minutes, callers will be able to get timely information on whether the traffic is running smoothly, slowing down or stopped. The real-time traffic data will be provided by a separate project that Globis Data is conducting to demonstrate the use of GPS-enabled cell phones as traffic probes. This cell-phone project is being financed by Transport Canada under its Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) R&D Plan, part of the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program. "Providing real-time traffic information via the telephone has long been an option, but not with the same ease and integrity as that provided by today’s vastly improved speech recognition systems," said Barrie Kirk, President, Globis Data Inc. "Choosing Vocantas as the best-of-breed telephony integrator will add a new and exciting dimension to the D.R.I.V.E.S. Toronto and D.R.I.V.E.S. Montreal services already available on the Internet." “Globis is demonstrating the power of combining real-time data provision with our simple-to-use and proven computer telephony solution to service an even broader audience,” commented Gary Hannah, Vocantas President and CEO. “Working together with Vocantas, Globis is providing this system and we are excited to be showcasing the obvious potential this technology has for many other applications.” In the future as the system expands, commuters and road warriors can be more confident and knowledgeable about traffic conditions as they evolve and fluctuate minute-by-minute, avoiding delays, plotting the most efficient route and planning ahead to avoid traffic congestion. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]