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Can You Talk to Your Machines?

Posted June 14, 2008 8:44 AM

In the Sci-Fi classic 2001: A Space Odyssey an astronaut talks to the computer controlling his space craft. In real life, however, there are still some major hurdles to overcome before voice I/O becomes commonplace, if ever. Now, there's a tester that claims to use voice recognition and speech synthesis to improve tester productivity. It still kind of freaks me out when I hear the flat, cold voice of most computer speech. And while speech recognition is getting better, I'm not sure it's ready for the factory floor. What do you think? Are you ready to have your tester talk to you, or is this just another gimmick that's liable to be turned off and forgotten once the novelty wears off?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Wire & Cable Technology, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Wire & Cable Technology today.

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dbdwoods
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#1

Re: Can You Talk to Your Machines?

06/14/2008 12:23 PM

My car has an OK female voiced GPS:

It used to speak to me all of the time before I found the off switch. Problem was just a bit more than half of its advice was not what I wanted to do. So I usually would reply to that suggestion with a off color or vulgar comment. In one month I figured that my blood pressure was rising, when ever I turned it on.

I have a wife and 3 daughters who are more than capable of advising my every action, what or why would I need one more dulcet voice providing that service?

I Dun know about you guys/gals, but unless I can get a "Hal" like machine I just don't want one.

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Hendrik
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#2
In reply to #1

Re: Can You Talk to Your Machines?

06/15/2008 1:51 AM

I know that feeling.

My GPS women even sound agitated after the 3rd time I ignore her advice. (-70C RECALCULATING -70C)

We have 11 official languages so I properly tell her (and other) what to do with her advice without a chance of her understanding and getting offended and send me on a goose chase.

There is a song for the feeling "I talk to the trees but they don't listen to me".

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James P. Hollen
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#9
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Re: Can You Talk to Your Machines?

07/07/2008 2:13 AM

"You have a wife and 2 daughters"? I am praying for you boss! I hope you have some kind of a "man cave" you can escape to when the estrogen gets tooooo thick! James

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canderous ordo
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#3

Re: Can You Talk to Your Machines?

06/15/2008 5:46 AM

well i can talk to my computer its currently writing this message as im speeking it can understand me and react to me and alot of my things speak back and i talk to it no flat talking its great

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#4
In reply to #3

Re: Can You Talk to Your Machines?

06/15/2008 1:14 PM

Well that explains it. I was wondering why you didn't use proper punctuation or capitals.

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bob c
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#7
In reply to #3

Re: Can You Talk to Your Machines?

06/16/2008 11:30 AM

I had a long project that had to be rewritten. I had a chance to use a program called Dragon Speak. I was very impressed with what it could do. It learned almost all of the technical words by the second try.

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#5

Re: Can You Talk to Your Machines?

06/15/2008 6:26 PM

Try www.inferret.co.uk

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#6

Re: Can You Talk to Your Machines?

06/16/2008 9:34 AM

Hmmm, unlike others here, I thoroughly enjoy the sweet young thing that whispers in my ear through my bluetooth headset after I get lost in the mountains on my motorcycle and she's guiding me home.

Of course, I wonder if being divorced and over 60 has anything to do with it???
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#8

Re: Can You Talk to Your Machines?

06/16/2008 12:50 PM

I have been talking to machines about all my life. Call them all kinds of things when the break down or I rap a knuckle. If they could talk back maybe they could tell me what ails them but that would take all the fun out of it. I like puzzles!!!

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