Sensory, Inc announced the release of TrulyHandsfree Voice Control 2.0 with significant enhancements in accuracy and expanded voice interaction capabilities. TrulyHandsfree 1.0 had single voice trigger technology, used for initial voice activation of a device. TrulyHandsfree 2.0 builds upon this with manifold phrase technology that distinguishes, analyzes and responds to scores of keywords, enabling a voice user interface that is even more natural and spontaneous. By virtue of its improved accuracy, 2.0 consistently recognizes phrases even when entrenched in sentences and surrounded by sound. Bluetooth devices, smartphones and consumer electronics for the home and the automobile will benefit greatly from these new capabilities. The technology is now available for Android (News - Alert) environments with other platforms also being under review.

Accuracy apprehensions have prevented mass acceptance of voice trigger technology. The risk of false fires must be done away with so the device doesn’t erroneously set off when human speech or other sounds are heard and misrecognized as the trigger. Moreover, performance should remain dependable in the noisiest of environments such as cars or packed living rooms. Sensory has perfected this move. TrulyHandsfree 2.0 has proven to constantly and precisely react in loud settings and has reduced false fires by 60% compared to the TrulyHandsfree 1.0 which was by then known as the industry’s best performing key word spotting technology.

In a release, Todd Mozer, CEO of Sensory said that “Speech technology is being integrated in more solutions than ever before but many of these applications require button pushes, defeating the purpose of a voice user interface. Personal electronics in the car and home will particularly benefit from Sensory’s TrulyHandsfree Voice Control. Think of the way a remote control is used. You don’t get up to turn on the TV and then sit down to change channels. Consumers want convenience, every step of the way. And in the car, the convenience is nice, but the real issue is safety because you shouldn’t have to take your eyes off the road and hands off the wheel to activate voice recognition.”

TrulyHandsfree 2.0 can be always-on and listening for scores of keywords that can trigger the device to life to be controlled through further voice commands. These keywords or phrases can even be spoken in the middle of a sentence so that users are not restricted to a compulsory dialogue. In this situation, consumers are communicating in a more human-like fashion, without the interruption and inconvenience of the use of buttons. With TrulyHandsfree Voice Control, users are not obliged to hold the device to their mouth to deliver the commands. The technology is devised to respond to commands delivered from as far as 20 feet away or even in high noise circumstances, making it an ideal solution for controlling devices in the home while multitasking or in the car where users require to focus on driving.