VIVOCA

About the project

The VIVOCA is a new voice input voice output communication aid for people with disordered speech.

For many patients with speech disorders such as dysarthria, it is difficult to make themselves understood to people who aren't used to their way of speaking. Their carers often 'translate' for them, as conventional voice output communication aids (machines that speak for you) are slow and tiring to use.

The VIVOCA device uses speech recognition and synthesis technology to recognise and interpret disordered speech and then communicate what its users want to say in a clear, synthesised voice, giving the person and their carer back some of their independence.

The VIVOCA device is undergoing final evaluation and will be taken to market with a commercial partner. The scenario demonstrates how people will benefit from the greater independence that devices such as the VIVOCA will bring.