Voice Recognition Technology on the Rise, Literally

Voice recognition technology has progressed tremendously in its performance, finding itself highly useful in various fields. We can now add the airline industry into the discussion thanks to the help of Microsoft and another well known voice recognition provider. JetBlue recently made a move which allows passengers to obtain flight information through a voice-activated interface over the phone. Sounds sophisticated, but the concept is rather simple. Airline travelers call a toll-free phone line, speak their flight number into the system and are provided with the information they need.

JetBlue’s Voice Recognition Technology

To incorporate voice recognition technology into its systems, JetBlue selected Aumtech, a company that provides integrated voice response and automated delivery systems. Aumtech coupled its ARC (Aumtech Responsive Communications) telephony with Royal Philips Electronics' SpeechPearl recognition engine to build the system JetBlue is currently using. Because voice recognition technology often comes at a steep cost, Aumtech worked out a deal with Microsoft to leverage the technology built into Vista and its Office suite. According to reports, this resulted in an estimated 75% cost savings compared to competitive solutions.

While not as accurate as industry leading products such as DragonNaturally Speaking, the voice recognition technology in Vista works fairly well. The built-in software allows you to open applications and dictate word documents and email messages. In short, you can control most of the functions of the entire operating system all with your voice. After a bit of training, the voice recognition technology in Vista will adjust to your style of speech and vocabulary as well.

Microsoft and Voice Recognition Technology

Microsoft is getting deeply involved in voice recognition technology, providing software tools for end-users and also giving developers the power to create speech-enabled applications via a new WinFX platform known as System Speech. Microsoft's speech server is designed to support a number of IVR (integrated voice recognition) applications that use standard telephones, mobile phones, desktop communicator utilities, tablet devices and various web-based applications.

Microsoft has also incorporated voice recognition technology into its new Exchange Unified Messaging Server. One of the major features of this platform is an automated attendant that allows people to use IVRs to request voicemail, email, calendar information and more. This attendant can be configured to support a wide range of languages and scenarios.

Other Applications of Voice Recognition Technology

What else does voice recognition technology have in store for the present? One area where the presence is strong is the military. There is currently major testing going on for implementing such systems in fighter jets. Voice recognition technology is perhaps the most prevalent in the healthcare field, offering cost savings and efficiency in the medical transcription sector. Additionally, people with physical disabilities are benefitting along with students and many business professionals. With new programs constantly hitting the shelves, one could assume that the popularity of voice recognition technology will eventually lead to more systems in the average home as well.

With well known airlines such as JetBlue implementing voice recognition technology and companies such as Aumtech and Microsoft working together, we just could see more automated attendant systems in everyday life.