Researchers at the Kagawa University in Japan have created a robotic mechanical mouth that uses a learning algorithm to mimic the sounds of human speech. Early prototypes did not have a nose or lips, but recent models are more complete.
Engineers Hideyuki Sawada, Mitsuki Kitani, and Yasumori Hayashi used artificial vocal cords in combination with other artificial voice-making parts to create the robotic mouth that is able to recreate and analyze human sounds and provide input that the hearing-impaired can use to improve their pronunciation and speech.
What's Driving This Trend
- Robotic-vocal-learning
- The trend is towards robotic mechanisms that use learning algorithms to recreate human speech.
- Assistive-speech-technology
- There is a growing trend for assistive technology technologies to help the hearing impaired improve their articulation.
- Artificial-vocal-cords
- The development of artificial vocal cords and other artificial voice-making parts is a growing trend in speech technology.
Who This Affects Most
- Healthcare
- This innovation creates opportunities for healthcare industries to provide technological solutions for those with speech impairments.
- Education
- Education industries can use this technology to help students with speech impairments learn and improve their pronunciation.
- Robotics
- Robotics industries can develop similar speech technology to help us better interact with our robotic counterparts.
