Microvocal Selects Bright Speech for Europe's First Reading Kiosks

MONS, BELGIUM - Babel Technologies S.A., a speech and language technology company, has announced Microvocal, a provider in customized and accessible information technology solutions for the blind and visually impaired, has integrated Babel's revolutionary BrightSpeech Text-to-Speech (TTS) solution in its automated reading kiosk. The reading kiosk has been specifically developed to grant access to information in public places like airports, train stations, shopping centres and city halls, to people who have difficulties reading standard documentation, leaflets, books and other written material. Microvocal's automated reading kiosk enables the blind and visually impaired to easily and rapidly read typed documents, simply by clicking one button. It has been equipped with a customized scanner and a document guide, an audio headset (so as not to disturb others), and a case with a button to activate the reading and anti-theft systems. The reading kiosk is simple to use and does not require any user-assistance. The Microvocal automated reading kiosk is currently available in French, English, German and Spanish and thus offers unlimited opportunities to access sites, places and information, on a Europe-wide scale. The decision to use Babel's BrightSpeech engine was based on its outstanding human sounding-quality and 'naturalness' in the languages that Microvocal required Vincent Fontaine, Babel Technologies' CEO, said: "Speech technology has proven to have many worthwhile applications. With the introduction of the Microvocal reading kiosk, speech technology is now providing the blind and visually impaired with access to essential information in many public places." Fontaine added: "Once again, BrightSpeech has shown its flexibility and suitability in an application that will increase the quality of life for millions of citizens across Europe."