Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 |
Individualized Artificial Voices
Individualized artificial voices are being readied for patients scheduled to lose their vocal chords due to cancer surgery. The technique will replace the mechanical, artificial voice converter that is used today.
Researchers from the University of Sheffield, with collaboration of a team from the University of Edinburgh recorded the voice of a female patient prior to surgery. The team created a digitized voice based on about seven minutes of speech from the client.
Bernadette Chapman, the patient subject for the process, said:
"We all take our voices for granted, but it is not until we lose them that we realise what a marvellous gift the voice is. So I thank the researchers on behalf of myself and all who will benefit from this new appliance, for all the work they have undertaken."
In expressing her preference for a more individualized artificial voice, Ms. Chapman disparaged the existing technology, the Servox machine or artificial larynx. She stated that the "machine tends to sound very like a dalek and can be very embarrassing to use, especially in public places."
"I was a Nursing Sister before losing my voice and have always been aware of how difficult patients find the Servox machine, some refusing to use it and so becoming very reclusive. To have a new technique that sounds more like a human voice, indeed more like the patient's own voice prior to operation, would be a great breakthrough and welcomed by all of us who rely on technology to communicate.
(Golden flying bling Dalek from the BBC's Dr. Who)
Science fiction writers have played with the idea of artificial voices and voice technology. Consider the multiple sample voice from The Shining One (1937) by Nat Schachner, the robot voice from Catch That Rabbit (1944) by Isaac Asimov, and even the voice-changing bowtie from Case Closed 1994 by Gosho Aoyama.
From this University of Sheffield press release via medGadget.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 9/10/2009)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 3 )
Related News Stories - (" Medical ")
MouthPad Supports Head And Tongue Tracking
'The operation that had transformed half his body... had located the control switchboard in his teeth.'- Alfred Bester, 1956.
Drug Induces Hibernation-Like State In Humans
'... drugged and chilled and stowed in sleep tanks.' - Robert Heinlein, 1951.
Drug To Regenerate Teeth In Humans
'We want to do something to help those who are suffering from tooth loss or absence,' said lead researcher Katsu Takahashi.
Illustrating Classic Heinlein With AI
'Stasis, cold sleep, hibernation, hypothermia, reduced metabolism, call it what you will - the logistics-medicine research teams had found a way to stack people like cordwood and use them when needed.' - Robert Heinlein, 1956
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
Current News
California Fireman Arrested For Starting Fires
'Fire is bright and fire is clean.'
Robots Need A Better Sense Of Touch
'First, it rubbed my arms...'
MouthPad Supports Head And Tongue Tracking
'The operation that had transformed half his body... had located the control switchboard in his teeth.'
REALLY Remote Control Excavators
'It takes over a second for the signal to get to the Moon...'
Disney Helping Robots Dance
Dance, Robots, Dance.
Kolors Virtual-Try-On Predicted, And TRIED, By Harry Harrison
'Bill blinked at his own face under the plumed helmet...'
Detecting Drones In Ukraine With Candy (Sukork)
'...a robot detector circuit closed, activating a bell."
Nevada Will Use AI To Decide Worker Benefits
'They had screwed up and been blacklisted by Manna.'
Tether Cryptocurrency Flow Rate US$190Bn Per Day
'Alex did not find it surprising that people... were electronically minting their own cash.'
First Trips To Mars Announced By Elon Musk
'I had determined that my first attempt should be a visit to Mars.'
WaPOCHI Micro-Mobility Robot Follows Like A Pet With Your Bags
To follow the user like a pet while carrying their cargo!
Ultra-Realistic Robotic Arowana Robo-Fish
'Deveet unhooked his catch and laid it on the bank beside him. It was a metal fish.'
GITAI R1 Lunar Rover Like NASA Robonaut Centaur
'...waldoes in the screen followed in exact, simultaneous parallelism.'
Meshworm Soft Robot, With Peristaltic Crawling, Is Getting Better
'Seen close it was not completely flexible, but made instead of pivoted and smoothly finished segments.'
Mushroom 'Robot' Is Just A Start
'Some unknown race ... decided to help them out.'
Tesla Electric 'Giga Train' Operational In Germany
'...the cars are wedge-shaped at both ends.'
