SpeechWorks' Technologies Support Multimodal Interface for Model U Concept SUV

BOSTON, MA - SpeechWorks International Inc. (Nasdaq: SPWX), a developer of speech technologies and services, announced that it has collaborated with Ford Research for the design and implementation of a multimodal interface for the Model U concept SUV, a concept car which was unveiled by Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan in celebration of Ford's 100th anniversary. The Model U concept SUV showcases a number of new design and technology concepts including the use of speech technologies that enable car occupants to speak naturally to operate on-board systems including entertainment, navigation, cellular telephone and climate control. The Model U concept SUV relies on SpeechWorks' Speech2Go™ embedded speech recognizer and Speechify Solo™ embedded text-to-speech (TTS) software. The Model U concept SUV allows occupants to use technology for personalization and convenience. Model U concept SUV's speech system can be used to configure different drivers' personalized settings - including the type of voice, the graphic style of the visual interface and even favorite music. The speech interface works in conjunction with a built-in LCD touch screen to create a multimodal design. This control interface in the Model U concept SUV illustrates a picture of what people might use in cars in the near future. Its conversational speech interface allows drivers and passengers to control a Bluetooth wireless phone, an MP3 player, the climate control, a retractable roof and a navigation system. For example, the speech interface offers a welcome advantage in the use of its navigation system. Current systems require a person to either type in a location or spell it out letter-by-letter, number-by-number. Occupants can tell the Model U concept SUV a specific address, major intersection or one of many points of interest, and it will guide them to their destination in conversational terms such as, "the exit is ahead two miles on your right." Or, if asked to play music, the Model U concept SUV will ask what type and then list the artists available. Music is stored in MP3 format, and is downloaded through wireless technology from a PDA or a home computer. "We are very excited to join Ford in celebrating this impressive milestone," said Alan Schwartz, vice president of business development and head of the Automotive and Mobile Device Customer Focus Unit at SpeechWorks. "Ford has been a driving force in defining new trends and innovations for the automotive industry. Having our embedded speech technologies showcased in the Model U concept SUV illustrates Ford's vision of creating a conversational interface, powered by speech technologies, to be the interface of the future for automobiles."