Fujitsu Introduces “LiveTalk” at CEBIT

 

Fujitsu LiveTalk is a software that, for situations in which multiple people share information, such as meetings or classroom settings, recognizes a speaker’s speech, immediately converts it into text, and displays it on multiple PC screens.

Amongst some trendsetting innovations straight from the Fujitsu Labs in Japan, the Fujitsu LiveTalk solution was one of the highlights experienced at the Fujitsu booth at CEBIT 2017.

This software from Fujitsu has been developing simultaneous interpretation into 19 languages and makes communication in foreign languages blindingly easy. It is a communication tool that translates speaker’s speech into text via speech recognition and displays the content on a PC, tablet, or smartphone screen in real time. The spoken text is smoothly and reliably translated into any language available.

Focusing on the issue of communication with people with hearing disabilities, and based on the technologies of Fujitsu, which has been advancing initiatives in universal design, Fujitsu Social Science Laboratory developed and commercialized LiveTalk, a participatory communications tool for people with hearing disabilities that creates a smoother and more natural communications environment.

We interviewed Mr Michael Erhard head of communication of Fujitsu Central Europe.

• What are the features of Live Talk?

“LiveTalk was originally designed for people with hearing disabilities in Japan. It was developed in a second step for simultaneously translations in many languages and at the moment support 19 languages as for example English, Chinese , Korean, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian. It is a learning system and it is quick to catch up with the other languages due to its autodidactic skills based supported by artificial intelligence.”

• When it will be available in the market?

“It is the first time we presented this system in Europe. At the moment is available in the Japanese market and we plan to be present in the other markets”.

• What are the ideal customers for this product?

“In the first step some 100 organisations in Japan use this system in order to communicate with disabled people, in particular with people with hearing disabilities, for example hospitals, government offices, businesses and educational institutions. These institutions have to communicate with people with hearing disabilities and they had to use the sign language so only few people were able to communicate. Live talk solved this problem. In particular, the system allows for keyboard input as well as speech input, so that hearing-impaired people can participate fully, alongside speakers of other languages.

Even without a human transcriber or other assistance, which until now has been required when hearing-impaired and hearing people work or learn in the same environment. Another possible application is for example in multinational organisations where the system is able to translate simultaneously in different languages even if multiple participants speak at the same time. ”

• How easy is it to use?

 “It is very easy to use, because it can be used directly in the system and no additional hardware is necessary. It support every device with a microphone like PC, tablet, or smartphone. The spoken text is smoothly and reliably translated into any language available. “

• What about the problem related to pronunciation?

“As I explained this system is a learning system with artificial intelligence in the background. The speech is converted into text and displayed on PC screens in real time with speech recognition using handheld and headset mics. If there are any mistakes in the conversion of speech into text, the system allows for keyboard input as well as speech input on the PC. When I tried the system the first time it was poor not so perfect, then I tried a second and a third time and the system got better. Basically a learning system it means the recognition of the voice will be better and better with practice.  ”

Extract of the interview:

 

Fujitsu Head Mounted Display to Help Enterprises Innovate On-Site Operations

Wearable device supports safer and more accurate work

The Head Mounted Display product consists of a 0.4-inch⁽¹⁾ display (854 x 480 dots), a camera, two microphones, and various sensors, with a non-see-through extension positioned in front of one eye. It can be operated with the included wearable keyboard or by voice. Constructed to be tough and for use with confidence in challenging environments such as precarious heights, the product is water-resistant (IPX5/7) and dust-resistant (IP5X)⁽²⁾ for outdoor use.

For infrastructure inspections or factory assembly work, the display allows for safe and accurate hands-free task support in the form of images, video, and audio. In addition, this product will help make it possible to have fewer on-site staff as it allows for remote support from skilled operators, enabling higher work quality regardless of experience.

Background

When conducting infrastructure inspections at precarious heights or performing a complex assembly with both hands in manufacturing, less-experienced operators may either need to stop what they are doing to look up the procedure in a manual or confer with a more skilled counterpart, making it difficult to work efficiently. But with experienced workers getting older and the time needed for training considerable, securing well-trained staff is becoming a problem. This has created a demand for an ICT-based form of task support that can be used in a variety of environments and that allows for safe, efficient work.

To meet that need, Fujitsu combined the high level of expertise in head mounted display (HMD) development of US-based Kopin Corporation with its own human-centric technologies cultivated through PC and mobile device development to create an HMD designed to support a wide range of field work.

Usage Scenarios for the Head Mounted Display

Combining an HMD with middleware such as FUJITSU Software Interstage AR Processing Server, an augmented-reality platform product, and operational-support services such as FUJITSU Business Application AZCLOUD SaaS teraSpection allows for task support using still pictures, video, and audio. The operator wears the Head Mounted Display and views the display for information pertaining to the tasks being performed, such as inspection check lists or work procedures, while using both hands for the task. This dramatically improves operational efficiency and avoids problems of overlooking steps or doing them out of order. The unit can be used with the attached wearable keyboard or the audio command function to carry out a variety of operations, including turning pages in a work manual, entering numbers or taking images with a camera.

Henry Borzi

Cardio3Biosciences opens a new manufacturing facility in Rochester (United States). #belgium #usa #biotech

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