VocalID Partners with Tobii Dynavox

VocaliD is partnering with Tobii Dynavox to bring users of Tobii Dynavox asistive devices the option to be heard through their own VocaliD voice.

"Pairing VocaliD's personalized, natural-sounding voices with Tobii Dynavox's industry-leading assistive devices is a game-changer for millions who have historically relied on a handful of generic, computerized voices," said Rupal Patel, founder and CEO of VocaliD, in a statement. "Every person living with a speech impairment has a unique vocal identity that deserves to be heard, and this partnership will help make this a reality."

VocaliD's customized voices are crafted by blending each cliuent's unique "vocal DNA" with recordings of a matched speech donor from the company's Voicebank of more than 14,000 contributors of all ages from more than 110 countries. Voice donors can also use their own recordings to craft personalized voices without the need for blending. For users with progressive conditions, such as ALS, this solution is a means to preserve and digitize their unique voices for use on their Tobii Dynavox devices.

"We are excited to offer this cutting-edge innovation to our customers and provide a new dimension in personalization," said Fredrik Ruben, president of Tobii Dynavox, in a statement. "Our partnership with VocaliD presents an extraordinary opportunity for people to express their thoughts and personality like never before."

Now, Tobii Dynavox users like Max Plansky, a teenager with cerebral palsy from Danvers, Mass., finally has a voice of his own. "Max's device allowed him to participate in conversations. With his VocaliD voice, Max is now empowered to be himself as he gets to express his thoughts in his own voice, not someone else's. Whenever he speaks, I can hear his soul in his voice. You can't put a price on that," said Max's father, Michael, in a statement.

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