Introduction           

What is SR?

Speech Recognition vs. Voice Recognition

Technology of SR

Timeline

The Players          

Future

Limitations and Potential

References

We could all use K.I.T.T. from the famed 1980’s television hit “Knight Rider” at some time. Whether we want to take the quickest route to the office or ask who the person in the car next to us is, the technologies similar to those demonstrated in this science fiction television series will soon be standard features in automobiles. In fact, Clarion has already developed a first generation AutoPC that can respond to voice commands. This product uses Microsoft’s Windows CE operating system to perform “hands-free” functions such as voice activated calling through a mobile phone, assistance with directions, and additional information on weather, news, and stocks.

As Speech Recognition technology improves in terms of accuracy, vocabulary, and its ability to understand natural language, we will see the concept of interactive machines in every arena. From assembly line mechanical tools to intelligent microwave ovens to "writing" a check, we will have the power to use our voice to instruct the electronic devices we encounter everyday.

The progress of Speech Recognition technologies, in the near future, may be hindered by the lack of an effective and legitimate standard code. Efforts are being made by AT&T, Lucent, Motorola, and seventeen other leading institutions to develop the Voice eXtensible Markup Language (VXML) standard. However, Microsoft and Unisys are also collaborating to popularize the Standard Application Programming Interface (SAPI), which is not compatible with the VXML standard. Speech and Voice Recognition technologies will probably not flourish until these standards are approved by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3), just as the World Wide Web did not grow until the HyperText Markup Language (HTML) standards had been adopted.

It is apparent that humans are trying to create a computing environment in which the computer learns from the user instead of one where the user must learn how to use the computer. Speech Recognition technology is the next obvious step in an attempt to integrate computing into a "natural" way of life. This effective means of communication, even when perfected, will still present limitations as to how humans can express themselves. The bottleneck of the future will be the physical constraint of not being able to speak all of one's thoughts in a coherent and sensible fashion. Instead, scary as it may be, computers may have systems in place that can receive and interpret neurological data.  

Copyright © 1999 Ira Greenberg and Andrew Bate.  All Rights Reserved.