Speech recognition technology, the ability of an electronic device to recognize and respond to verbal commands, has been in development since the 1940s, although it didn’t really become viable until the 1980s. Popular with Hollywood and novelists, speech recognition is no longer the stuff of science fiction. Although the current technology is experiencing some stumbling blocks, advancements are constantly in the works. So where are we now with speech recognition technology? And where can we expect to see ourselves in the coming years?
Current Technology:
We already see numerous examples of speech recognition software in our day-to-day lives. In the first quarter of 2013, Apple sold 47 million iPhones alone – many of which include the familiar program, Siri. Siri uses speech recognition software to analyze speech and decide the best course of action. For example, a user gives a command, such as “direct me to the nearest gas station” or “where’s the nearest gas pump?” Remarkably, Siri can ascertain that these are essentially the same inquiry and translate this into a search query.
Another popular use of speech recognition software can be found with the program “Dragon NaturallySpeaking.” Dragon allows an individual speak into a microphone and the technology converts that into words on a page. This ability to create printable text by speaking has been especially popular in the medical and legal industries, replacing or reducing the need for transcription.
We’ve seen similar technologies for the last few years. Unfortunately, both Siri and Dragon have problems. So many problems have arisen from Siri alone that they have spawned a number of websites dedicated just to the inadvertently humorous responses. Despite its best intentions, Dragon, too, is far from perfect.
What to Expect?
This software is continuously getting patched. Siri receives near constant updates along with the updates to the iOS software. Dragon also receives scheduled updates to the programming. In the near future, we can expect that the minor quirks with these programs (and those just like them) will be fixed and ready for near-seamless conversation.
But that’s not the only advancement we have to look forward to in the near future. Speech recognition is good for more than just taking notes and giving directions. It can also be a huge tool in diplomacy and world affairs. In this spirit, Google has been developing what can only be called a universal translator. This would allow people from different cultures to communicate without difficulty. International connectivity would increase exponentially.
What Lies Ahead:
A major limitation with speech recognition software is that it has required the user to be actively involved in making adjustments and corrections. However, developers are working to make the software “learn” on its own, without human assistance or correction.
Right now we’re only at the tip of the iceberg. New technologies are continually being developed that promise to make these seem as obsolete as the floppy disk. There are plans to make entire houses respond and act based upon voice commands. Cars will not only give you directions based upon your voice, but they will take you to your destination. Speech recognition technology is going to become incredibly useful in the future because of its versatility. This advancement is expected to be ubiquitous. It will be seen in business, government, and even in our homes.
