# Human Voice Robots Robotic Mechanical Mouth Helps Hearing-Impaired Improve Articulation By Katie Cordrey | Published 2010-04-24 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/robotic-mechanical-mouth References: [popsci](http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2010-04/freaky-robot-mouth-simulates-human-voices) & [geekologie](http://www.geekologie.com/2010/04/shut_your_pie_hole_creepy_robo.php) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sonova) can use to [improve their pronunciation and speech](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ai-coaching-app). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.4/10 - Popularity: 64% | Activity: 91% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [AI](https://www.trendhunter.com/ai) ## Key Themes ### 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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Speech Rehabilitation Aid Chokers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/revoice.md) - [Conversation-Muting Audio Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/audio-robot.md) - [Smart Health-Monitoring Mouthpieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mouthio.md) - [AI Voice Replicators](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/voicebox-ai.md) - [Facial-Tracking Sonar Glasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/echospeech.md) - [Assistive Voice Technologies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/assistive-voice-technology.md) - [AI Voice Cloning Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/openvoice.md) - [Tongue-Controlled Digital Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-interfaces.md) - [Voice-Led Fabrication Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/speech-to-reality.md)