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 ")
Brain Implant Is Able To Capture Your Inner Dialogue
'So you see, you can hide nothing from me.'
'Pregnancy Humanoids' From China Replace Moms
'A great many of these synthetic babies were made...' - David H. Keller, 1928.
Bacteria Turns Plastic Into Pain Relief? That Gives Me An Idea.
'I guess there's nobody round this table who doesn't have a Crosswell [tapeworm] working for him in the small intestine.'
Heart Patches Grown In The Lab Repair Hearts
I'm hoping that this procedure becomes a normal part of medical practice!
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
RoboBallet The Dance Of Cooperative Robots
'...an integrated seven-unit robot team.'
Chrysalis Generation Ship to Alpha Centauri
'This was their world, their planet —
this swift-traveling, yet seemingly moveless vessel.'
Alexa+ And Its AI Brain Improvements
'What's it do?' he asked. 'It amuses.'
Does CloneRobotics Offer A True Android?
Is this What Little Girls Are Made Of?
Brain Implant Is Able To Capture Your Inner Dialogue
'So you see, you can hide nothing from me.'
Are AIs Going Rogue Like Hal 9000
'I know that you and Frank were planning to disconnect me...'
Animated Tumblebugs On Astounding Cover!
'Gaines and Harvey mounted tumblebugs, and kept abreast of the Cadet Captain...'
LingYuan Vehicle Roof Drones Now Available, ala Blade Runner 2049
Accompanied by a small selection of similar ideas from science fiction.
China Steals Strato Airship Design From Google App Engine
'...war-balloons, or, as it would be more correct to call them, navigable aerostats.'
The First Space Warship For Space Force
'Each of the electrical ships carried about twenty men...'
Biohybrid Jellyfish Explore The Ocean
As predicted, and detailed, by science fiction writers!
Should AIs and AI Robots Demand Rights?
'This robot is a creature... It is a manlike being. Therefore, like any other talking, thinking man, he is entitled to a court trial!'
Robot Learns Human Tool Usage By Imitation Learning
'I got one of those new electronic cameras...'
Companion Caregiver ChatGPT Dolls
'Every Artificial Friend is unique, right?'
'Pregnancy Humanoids' From China Replace Moms
'A great many of these synthetic babies were made...'
Man Builds 200 Foot Basement Firing Range
'The basement was huge... carved deep into the rock.'
