Thotra’s speech transformation technology to improve  comprehension in call centres and transcription services worldwide

On October 11, 2013, The Hindustan Times covered a technology developed by UTEST start-up graduate Thotra (invented by Frank Rudzicz) for its speech-transformation software.

The article commends Thotra for recognizing the communications gap surrounding accents, hailing the technology as the solution to “put an end to all accent problems.”

On October 2, 2013, Thotra’s technology was also covered in the National Post:

The software, which filters out aspects of speech that can hinder comprehension, is put to the test by processing lines from Colin Firth in the movie The King’s Speech. The results showcase the potential of the software and how it can assist comprehension of accents.

“The software could be embedded in a portable device that people with speech disorders would carry with them, or integrated with call-centre telephones, says Frank Rudzicz, a scientist at the Toronto Rehab Institute [part of the University Health Network].”

However, Thotra CEO Prateek Dwivedi stresses that “the point is not to erase the accent, just make them more comprehensible.” The speech is played back in the speaker’s own voice rather than a robot-like voice.

Posted by Kailee Travis, writer and communications assistant.