Recommendations : Voice Control

**wolfebaine** · 12-09-2005, 11:18 AM

Long time reader, first time poster, blah blah blah....

So here's the scoop; in my opinion, there has not been enough attention to voice control on this site. Let's face it, the whole reason everyone has gone through this effort is to be one step closer to the "Good morning, Michael" feel from Knight Rider. =-)

With that in mind, I'd like to see how far we can take this post and potentially create a new subsection (or sticky thread) for voice control applications and ideas dedicated to all the Hal 2000 loving, KITT crazed lunatics like myself (see, my first post and already delusions of grandeur).

I've just begun my Carputer endeavor so my setup is meager but effective.

Hardware:
HP e42 pc (mounted in glove compartment)
SP-716 In-dash touch screen LCD
OnDigital remote/keyboard (using Girder)
Standard radio shack boundary mic

Software (as it relates to voice)
Windows XP
Realize Voice
Microsoft Plus!

----------------------

Why these two apps you may wonder?

Well, Realize contains all the functionality I've been looking for pertaining to control. It has built-in windows and IE navigation and contains user customizable macro features that range from shortcuts, key commands, and even TTS responses! (just for fun)
"How are you today, Hal?"
"I'm completely operational and all my circuits are functioning perfectly"
(what? you guys never watched 2001?)

The one and only reason to use Plus! is the voice command feature it comes with as it pertains to Windows Media. Using the embedded speech engine, it will analyze all music in your library and use ID3 tags to allow the user to make general voice commands.
"Hal, play artist Aerosmith" (bam, every Aerosmith song cues up)
"Hal, play genre Classic Rock" (everything with the genre tag classic rock queues up)
Only drawback to this is, of course, it uses Windows Media (yuck)

I would love to get this kind of functionality independent of windows media if anyone has some suggestions. Or please just post your success stories in making your own car that talks back to you!!!

**Enforcer** · 12-09-2005, 11:29 AM

Have you had a look at Navi voice?

**Scouse Monkey** · 12-09-2005, 11:34 AM

**wolfebaine** · 12-09-2005, 12:20 PM

At first glance, definitely doesn't contain the functionality I'm looking for.

**arebelspy** · 12-09-2005, 12:56 PM

It certainly does the first, but no id3 tag analization (So only simple "Next song" "volume up" commands), but about as good as you'll get for now I think.

-arebelspy

**Goofus** · 12-09-2005, 02:32 PM

FYI: XP Tablet edition has voice recognition built in. I've never tried it to see how good it works though.

**arebelspy** · 12-09-2005, 05:05 PM

It's not bad, it's like a dumbed down more basic version of Dragon Naturally Speaking..

-arebelspy

**Enforcer** · 12-10-2005, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by wolfebaine

At first glance, definitely doesn't contain the functionality I'm looking for.

PM ol33l and see what he's adding for the new version, to be called PowerVoice.

You may even be able to get him to add the options you want.

**arebelspy** · 12-10-2005, 05:31 PM

Regarding last post:

1) boris (aka ol33l, creator of navivoice) is banned for now, so dont expect a quick reply.

2) he hasn't updated navivoice in forever and afaik has no immediate plans to do so (busy with senior year of school)

I have to admit though the jump to artist/song/album/whatever via a recognition of ID3 tags (or even better file name IMO or both) would be awesome.

-arebelspy

**wolfebaine** · 12-11-2005, 10:06 AM

Wow What happened there with ol33l getting banned?

Right now, between Realize and Plus, I have total PC control between the touchscreen and my voice. The keyboard is rarely necessary.

However, Im trying to get inventive with the microphone. What's best for noise cancellation?