Orbit Research and SpeechFX Inc. Announce License to Embed FonixTalk™ Technology into Products for The Blind
Wilmington, DE and Salt Lake City, UT (PRWEB) July 29, 2013 -- Orbit Research and SpeechFX Inc. today announced a software license to embed SpeechFX Inc.’s FonixTalk™ high-quality Text-to-Speech (TTS) solution into Orbit Research’s line of products for the blind and visually impaired. Combining these two solutions is expected to generate significant benefits for end-users by leveraging the complementary talents and resources within each company.
The first product to use the FonixTalk technology, the Orion TI-84 Plus handheld Talking Graphing Calculator, developed by Orbit Research in collaboration with the American Printing House for the Blind and Texas Instruments, is now shipping.
The calculator is based on the popular TI-84 Plus™ model from Texas Instruments and enables a user who is visually impaired to interact with the unit using speech, audio, and haptic (vibration) feedback. All textual and symbolic information on the screen, as well as each key-press is spoken using the FonixTalk TTS.
"The relationship with Orbit Research is a significant opportunity that will allow us to bring high quality TTS to compact, handheld, embedded devices," said Roger D. Dudley, SpeechFX, CEO. "The innovative FonixTalk synthesizer, which gives the Orion TI-84 Plus its voice, demonstrates the ability and expertise of SpeechFX to lead the embedded speech industry. We’re pleased to collaborate with Orbit Research to further enhance and integrate high-quality synthesized speech (TTS) into handheld products."
"High-quality speech was a key requirement for the Orion TI-84 Plus, which represents a breakthrough in STEM education for students who are blind and visually impaired," said Dr. Gina Spagnoli, Orbit Research’s Founder. "The licensing and integration of SpeechFX’s advanced FonixTalk TTS represents an exciting opportunity which will help us fully deliver on our mission of providing groundbreaking affordable products that are essential for an independent and productive lifestyle."
The Orion TI-84 Plus will be available for sale and through APH's Federal Quota Program and is shipping now.
About Orbit Research:
Orbit Research develops and manufactures innovative and affordable products that enable an independent lifestyle for people who are blind or visually impaired. Founded with the mission to fulfill the urgent need for affordable assistive technology products, the company has introduced breakthrough products like the Orion Talking Scientific Calculators and the iBill Talking Banknote Identifier that define the state-of-the-art in features, functionality, convenience and cost. For more information, visit http://www.orbitresearch.com.
About SpeechFX, Inc.:
SpeechFX, Inc., delivers embedded speech software, both text-to-speech and voice recognition for ARM-based, SH4 and DSP processors found in mobile devices, interactive software and video games. The Company owns proprietary speech and voice technologies, with 7-issued patents. For more information, visit http://www.speechfxinc.com.
Carla Morris, Orbit Research, http://www.orbitresearch.com, +1 888-606-7248, [email protected]
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