"Becker® Traffic Pro with SVOX Text-to-Speech" - we would like to share this breaking news with you.

Due to the constantly growing need for security and comfort, Harman/Becker® Automotive Systems GmbH expects in-car speech dialog systems to become increasingly important. A particularly significant aspect is dynamic content such as up-to-date traffic messages. In response to these developments, the company has decided to add SVOX speech output solutions to selected products such as the Becker® Traffic Pro.

Karlsbad and Zurich – (3 March 2006) This morning, Harman/Becker® Automotive Systems GmbH officially announced that they now deploy speech output solutions provided by Zurich-based SVOX for their after-market product Becker® Traffic Pro. In fact, by combining Harman/Becker®’s proprietary premium speech recognition software with SVOX TTS they are aiming to bring the final breakthrough for in-car speech dialog systems.

Previously, navigation and infotainment systems had no support for dynamic speech applications but rather featured pre-recorded speech prompts. Since these sound files had been recorded by professional speakers in sound studios, they boasted an excellent speech quality. However, they failed to allow for dynamic announcements such as the reading of up-to-date traffic information, personal messages (email, SMS, etc.) or other user-defined information. Such applications that are based on dynamic contact require the integration of speech synthesis software.

Speech recognition significantly increases the safety and comfort of in-car navigation and infotainment systems. In particular, complex data input procedures, such as dialing a phone number or selecting a destination, can be performed while keeping your hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road.

Text-to-speech products enhance in-car speech dialog systems. They add an improved interaction and ensure the most flexibility for the conversion of dynamic information.
Harman/Becker®’s navigation system Becker® Traffic Pro was the first after-market product to feature a comprehensive speech dialog system including a complete destination entry dialog. For this product as well as for selected OEM systems, Harman/Becker® will deploy SVOX Automotive TTS.

“Automotive speech output solutions based on TTS will become a standard within the next few years” comments Volker Jantzen, CEO of SVOX. “Harman/Becker®’s innovative activities in the field of speech dialog systems have been acclaimed for years. We look forward to bolster this expertise with our own speech output solutions.”

In addition to the security aspect, improving the usability of the extensive on-board system functions is also a convincing argument for the deployment of speech technology. Experts regard speech technology as an important innovation driver for future infotainment and communication systems. In the future, speech technology will enable new, interactive in-car applications such as reading incoming emails and SMS as well as traffic messages. Most likely, these functions will soon be included in premium segment car lines.

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About SVOX AG

SVOX AG is the leading provider of embedded speech output solutions for the automotive and mobile device industries. The SVOX Text-to-Speech system, the company’s signature product, is part of a full product suite of small, fast and multilingual applications that enable computers and other electronic devices to convert written text into natural-sounding and easily comprehensible speech. SVOX focus on embedded speech allows for specifically optimized solutions, and its software architecture provides customers with a speech engine that can be easily tailored to their technical requirements and market needs.