Kakao additionally introduced to all developers a high-quality synthesized speech engine that can make a sound just like how a person makes a sound.
It is an improved version of ‘Newton Talk’, which is a synthesized speech technology that was first introduced in February of 2014. Unlike Google, it can definitely support Android and Apple iOS as well.
Director Kim Hoon of Kakao’s Voice Processing Part let people know that he is hoping that development of application using voice technology through introduction of high-quality Newton Talk version will be regularized.
“This newly-developed synthesized speech technology can choose between word-type, instruction-type, subject-type, or reciting-type depending on a situation. Unlike previous machine synthesis, natural-like speech is possible due to addition of editing synthesis technology.” said Director Kim
New Newton Talk version almost sounds like as an actual person is talking because it utilized recorded data with many more sentences than previous data and Deep Learning. Combination of any sentences also sounds very natural. Because it uses different synthesis methods to improve sound quality, it minimizes the possibility of making of unnatural machinelike sound.
Kakao is predicting that development of technologies using Newton Talk will be regularized.
It thinks that way because it will play heavy roles of linking indoor lightings, household appliances, cars and others through voice-command due to emergence of Smartphones.
“There is a high possibility that voice will become a command-system for Smart equipment in this IoT80 generation. If Newton Talk continuously gets widely-used, voice technologies will develop throughout mobile and IoT field.” said Vice-Director Kim Bong Wan of Kakao’s Voice Processing Part.
He added that voice recognition and synthesis will play important roles in places where screens are small.
“Level of importance of voice recognition is becoming bigger due to recent release of Apple Watch, Galaxy Gear 2 and others and interest in IoT. Kakao will do its best to make a generation where equipment can be controlled and moved as much as we want through Korean.” said Vice-Director Kim with much emphasis.
Staff Reporter Lee, Kyungmin | kmlee@etnews.com