What if you could talk… without really talking? Aside from saving you all the effort required to move your lips, don’t you agree that it would be the sexiest thing in mobile communications since the RAZR? Well, Ambient Corporation promises to give you just that, the ability to say words without opening your mouth. Just think of all the possibilities this will bring. Now, you can continue to annoy your peaceful old neighbors without even moving your lips, you talkative freak of nature you.
In a recent conference held by microchip manufacturer Texas Instruments, Michael Callahan of Ambient Corporation demonstrated how “Audeo”, the groundbreaking technology developed by their company, can let a user “speak without speaking” via a neckband and a nearby computer. The neckband is used to interpret the nerve signals in the user’s vocal cords and then wirelessly transmits it to the computer to be spoken aloud by a robotic voice. It doesn’t read your thoughts, though, but only the words that you “want to say”. I believe this is a significant step forward in the field of wireless communications. You have to see it for yourself to believe it (keep reading for a video demonstration).
Interestingly enough, this technology was not developed to aid cellphone users or any other kind public speakers with their endeavors, but rather to help those afflicted with motor neurone disease in voicing out their thoughts and opinions. As of now, the system can only recognize a limited set of about 150 words and phrases, but the company promises to further develop their technology so that a user can successfully say whatever they want in the future.
Product [Audeo] Via [New Scientist] Via [OhGizmo!]
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