Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories and SpeechWorks Team to Create Speech Applications for Next-Generation Wireless Devices
BOSTON--Dec. 10, 2001--SpeechWorks International, Inc. , a global leader in speech recognition and text-to-speech (TTS) solutions, announced today that it has signed a development and license agreement with Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories (MERL). Under the agreement, SpeechWorks is providing MERL with its Speech2Go(TM) embedded speech recognition engine (see today's related press release from SpeechWorks) and ETI Eloquence small-footprint TTS engine to develop wireless device and automotive applications. The mutually non-exclusive agreement provides MERL with development licenses and application development resources from SpeechWorks to help create these applications.
"MERL is developing advanced technology in the areas of communications, networking and interfaces. We have ramped up our efforts in Spoken Language Interfaces recently with an eye to building a completely new breed of products that use speech as the primary user interface. Our work with SpeechWorks technology is a very important part of this initiative," said Dick Waters, President and CEO of MERL. "We look forward to working with SpeechWorks and the Company's leading technologies, using them to develop new products and pushing the scientific envelope of spoken language interface technology for consumer devices."
"We are very excited to team with MERL," commented Alan Schwartz, vice president of business development, responsible for the Automotive and Mobile Device Unit at SpeechWorks. "MERL is known for world-class research in the area of human-computer applications like mobile devices and automobiles. MERL's adoption of our embedded speech technologies represents an important milestone for SpeechWorks in this space."
About MERL
Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories (MERL) is the North American arm of the central research and development organization of Mitsubishi Electric Company. MERL conducts application-motivated basic research and advanced development in computer and communications technology. More information is available at www.merl.com.
Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (FTSE: 6503q.l) is a recognized world leader in the manufacture, marketing and sales of electrical and electronic equipment used in information processing and communications, space development and satellite communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology, energy, transportation and construction. Additional information on Mitsubishi Electric is available at www.mitsubishielectric.com.
About SpeechWorks International, Inc.
Through the power of SpeechWorks technologies, the human voice is all a user needs to access instant information and conduct transactions from any phone or device. Around the world, customer service innovators such as America Online, CIBC Bank, Microsoft, OnStar and Singapore Telecom are realizing returns on SpeechWorks applications that consistently delight and serve customers 24 hours a day. With over 100 partners, SpeechWorks delivers natural language speech recognition, speaker verification and text-to-speech (TTS) solutions to leading corporations, telecommunications providers, device manufacturers and government organizations worldwide. For a description of our products, services and unique customer programs such as the SpeechWorks Here(TM) STEP call 617.428.4444 or visit www.speechworks.com.
SpeechWorks, Speech2Go, ETI-Eloquence and SpeechWorks Here are trademarks or registered trademarks of SpeechWorks International, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.