Voice recognition technology, also known as Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR), aims to convert the vocabulary content of human speech into computer-readable input, such as keystrokes, binary codes, or character sequences. Unlike speaker recognition and speaker verification, which attempt to identify or confirm the speaker of the speech rather than the vocabulary content contained within it.
Applications of voice recognition technology include voice dialing, voice navigation, indoor device control, voice document retrieval, and simple dictation data entry. When combined with other natural language processing technologies such as machine translation and speech synthesis, it can create more complex applications, such as speech-to-speech translation.
The fields involved in voice recognition technology include: signal processing, pattern recognition, probability theory and information theory, vocal mechanisms and auditory mechanisms, artificial intelligence, etc.
In telephone and communication systems, intelligent voice interfaces are transforming telephones from a mere service tool into a “provider” of services and a “partner” in life; using telephones and communication networks, people can conveniently query and extract relevant information from remote database systems using voice commands; as computers become smaller, keyboards have become a significant obstacle for mobile platforms. Imagine if a mobile phone were only the size of a watch; it would be impossible to dial using a keyboard. Voice recognition is gradually becoming a key technology for human-computer interfaces in information technology, and the combination of voice recognition technology and speech synthesis technology allows people to operate by voice command without needing a keyboard. The application of voice technology has become a competitive emerging high-tech industry.
Today, voice recognition technology has developed to the point where the recognition accuracy of non-specific vocabulary systems for small to medium vocabularies has exceeded 98%, and the recognition accuracy for specific speaker systems is even higher. These technologies are capable of meeting the requirements of typical applications. Due to the development of large-scale integrated circuit technology, these complex voice recognition systems can now be made into dedicated chips for mass production. In economically developed Western countries, a large number of voice recognition products have entered the market and service sectors. Some user terminals, telephones, and mobile phones already include voice dialing features, as well as products like voice notepads and voice-enabled toys that incorporate both voice recognition and speech synthesis functions. People can use voice recognition conversational systems over telephone networks to query information about tickets, travel, and banking, achieving very good results. Survey statistics indicate that more than 85% of people express satisfaction with the performance of voice recognition information query service systems.
Google has launched voice recognition technology, predicting that in the next five to ten years, the application of voice recognition systems will become more widespread. Various voice recognition system products will appear on the market. People will also adjust their speaking styles to adapt to various recognition systems. In the short term, it is still impossible to create a voice recognition system that can compete with humans; building such a system remains a significant challenge for humanity, and we can only progress step by step towards improving voice recognition systems. As for when a voice recognition system as sophisticated as a human can be established, it is difficult to predict. Just like in the 1960s, who could have predicted the enormous impact that large-scale integrated circuit technology would have on our society today.
