Detecting Speech Without Microphones

kyle90 writes "New Scientist is reporting on a new way of detecting speech without using microphones, using electrodes places on the neck that measure muscle activity and nerve impulses. Apparently the user doesn't even need to speak the words out loud in order for them to be detected. This looks like pretty neat technology; if used with cell phones it could give the user a little more privacy, and the rest of us a little more peace and quiet."

still annoying

[iggymanz]

then we'd have to look at idiots moving their mouth in exaggerated motions....

Quick

[Dachannien]

However, both systems come at a cost. Because the words are produced by a computer, the receiver of the call would hear the speaker talking with an artificial voice. But for some that may be a price worth paying for a little peace and quiet.

Get one of these for Ashlee Simpson, pronto!

heh

[B3ryllium]

.

I just said something, guess what it was?

There's more to come?

[Anonymous Coward]

I can already see the next challenge: generating speech not based on muscle nerve signals, but directly on brain activity...

Options for military / police uses seem unlimited. However I wouldn't really want that blonde to know what my nerves are doing about her...

Re:Huh?

[Anonymous Coward]

That may be the process for Americans. With most people, however, using their brain to think about what to say is the first step in speech production.

Dear Mr. Anderson,

[ImaLamer]

What good are electrodes when you can't vibrate your vocal cords?

Re:Quick

[oedneil]

I think Ashlee's voice is already computer-edited and synthesized enough that it could be considered an artificial voice.

I have been communicating without speech for years

[Timesprout]

I see a pretty girl, I get a bulge in my pants. Pretty girls sees me, sees bulge, smacks me in the face. Not a word said yet we are all perfectly clear where we stand.

Creeping people out

[EnsilZah]

I can't wait to have one so i could hook it up to some speakers and talk to people without moving my lips.

Would probably creep people out... i mean... more than i usually do.. =\

Solid Snake did this years ago

[Laconian]

Remember Snake doing this on MGS?

Re:Huh?

[JustOK]

Mebbe your eyes are slow. Or the mirror had a slow response time.