The Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT), which produces research, development, testing and information services, has developed a speech-controlled terminal. It is of particular help to employees who cannot use a keyboard when they are working. The terminal was developed under VTT's electronics research programme.

The new terminal offers location-dependent services without telephone costs. The prototype combines a hands-free operation by using speech control and operations based on precise positioning and a wireless network.

The operation of the equipment has been made possible by the development of signal-processing technology, the spread of WLAN-based networks and effective palm-top PDAs.

In addition to the position information and Internet, the terminal's new features include advanced usage of a speech signal. For example, the user name is replaced by authentication that is based on the speaker's voice, and the main commands can be given by speaking. This is of benefit in a work situation where the user is holding a tool or wearing protective gloves and cannot use the keyboard. The equipment can also be used by maintenance and storemen in industry, cleaners in institutions and those working in nursing homes.

Mobile Internet without telephone costs

For a maintenance man, for example, the terminal can provide information relating to a machine or room, such as alarms, settings and the time of the previous checking. The information is found automatically using the Internet page relating to the equipment in question. Information specific to a certain site can be determined on the basis of accurate positioning data. The site for the terminal can be determined to an exactitude of some 1.5 metres.

In addition, the user is able to feed information into the data base. The Intranet connection makes it possible to use the e-mail and the Internet and even voice-over Internet calls.

The first terminals will be used initially by companies internally but consumer applications can be expected, because the equipment, in addition to other operations, offers a mobile Internet without telephone charges.

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A few words and the maintenance man is given information via the terminal about the machine that needs repairing.
Photo: VTT Electronics