If you've ever taken any type of public transportation before, I'm sure you have encountered that loud-mouthed individual whose very voice grates painfully against you mind and soul. Well, those days may soon be numbered, thanks to Silent Communication.
Created by Professor Tanja Shultz of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Silent Communication eliminates the need to actually speak. Instead, it relies on mouth movements to relay messages.
According to Switched, Silent Communication utilizes "nine electrodes stuck to the user’s face, the prototype detects the electrical potentials from the muscles that move during speech. The electromyographic pulses are amplified and sent wirelessly to a laptop, which then translates the signals into a synthesized speaking voice."
Lip Reading Mobiles
Tanja Shultz's Silent Communication May End Noisy Phone Calls
Trend Themes
1. Silent Communication - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop new communication technologies that rely on non-verbal cues.
2. Electromyographic Technology - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore applications of electromyographic technology to enhance communication and user experience.
3. Wireless Translators - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create portable devices that can wirelessly translate non-verbal cues into spoken language.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Implement Silent Communication technology in healthcare settings to facilitate communication with non-verbal patients.
2. Telecommunications - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate Silent Communication technology into phones and call centers to offer more efficient and noise-free communication.
3. Assistive Technology - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Adapt Silent Communication technology to assist individuals with speech disabilities in their daily lives.