Spoken (app)
 | |
 Spoken's word prediction UI and voice selection as seen on tablet and smartphone | |
| Other names | Spoken, Spoken AAC |
|---|---|
| Original author(s) | Michael Bond |
| Developer(s) | Spoken, Inc. |
| Initial release | 2019 |
| Stable release | |
| Operating system | iOS, Android, MacOS |
| Available in | English |
| Type | Augmentative and alternative communication application software |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | spokenaac |
Spoken (also known as Spoken - Tap to Talk AAC and Spoken AAC) is a mobile application and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tool launched in 2019.[3] The app was designed to aid individuals with speech and language impairments like aphasia or nonverbal autism, using a combination of symbols, text, and voice output.
History
[edit]Michael Bond began development of Spoken in 2015, prompted by a need for modern and accessible tools in speech therapy, as traditional methods had not significantly changed in the last 50 years.[4] The project saw considerable advancement due to participation in the Start-Up Chile accelerator program, where it took first place against eighteen competing startups on the 13th generation's Demo Day in November 2015.[5][6][7] The app officially launched in 2019.
Many of Spoken's original symbols were borrowed from The Noun Project, selected using crowdsourced human-based computation to determine the best icons for individual words.[citation needed] Although many Noun Project icons are still used in Spoken, an effort has been made to switch to proprietary icons for improved style consistency and faster word recognition.[8]
The real-world application of Spoken's technology was unexpectedly extended during the COVID-19 pandemic, assisting patients recovering from ventilator use. By March 2021, the application had garnered over 10,000 downloads and reported a sustained 20% monthly growth.[9] By May 2022, it was averaging an additional 1,000 downloads per week.[10]
In February 2022, Spoken joined AlphaLab Health, a startup accelerator by Allegheny Health Network and Innovation Works. This provided the company with access to clinical resources, funding, and mentorship, further enabling its growth.[10] It has also participated in other programs like the Multiple Autism Accelerator and Slalom Ventures' AI for Good Accelerator.[11][12]
Spoken has set out to expand its technological offerings to more languages, seeking to address the needs of underserved populations and preparing for growing global demand.[6][9]
Operation
[edit]Spoken distinguishes itself from other AAC applications through the use of an artificial neural network that provides predictive text capabilities, similar to a smartphone's autocomplete function.[13] This feature learns from the user's speech patterns, offering increasingly personalized suggestions over time. Users can expand the app’s vocabulary in three ways: by repeatedly using new words in sentences so Spoken learns their context, by adding terms in bulk through the "Add Vocabulary" option for basic prediction, or by using the "Personalized Predictions" feature, which asks targeted questions to ensure new words are immediately predicted in the correct contexts. Additionally, Spoken can tailor its predictions based on the user's location, providing contextually relevant suggestions in specific settings such as restaurants or hospitals.
The application includes a selection of natural-sounding, synthesized voices with customization options for pitch, speed, and volume, enabling users to choose a voice that best represents their identity or preferences. All voices included in Spoken are named after plants rather than people to make them appear more gender-neutral or unisex.[citation needed] Examples include Elderberry, Bottlebrush, and Dandelion.
Spoken supports a variety of input methods to accommodate different user needs and preferences. Beyond conventional typing and predictive text, it recognizes handwriting and even simple drawings, translating these inputs into spoken words.[14] The data used to train Spoken's drawing canvas was sourced from the game Quick, Draw!, allowing it to recognize very crude drawings with great accuracy.[citation needed]
Spoken also offers a saved phrases feature, designed for users who regularly use specific sentences or expressions. These phrases can be retrieved in just two taps, streamlining communication in fast-paced or emergency situations.
Another feature of Spoken is its "attention button." This feature was designed as a substitution for verbal cues like clearing one's throat.[15] A single tap of this button repeatedly blinks the device's flashlight and plays a customizable, attention-grabbing sound. AAC users can use this feature to notify others that they are about to speak, or to quickly get someone's attention in an emergency.
For additional accessibility, Spoken incorporates features like large print, dark mode, and word dividers to ensure that the app is usable and comfortable for individuals with varying needs.[14]
Users can also display their sentences in fullscreen scale for communicating in high volume environments or in situations where they don't want to make noise.
Other features include the ability to quickly share written content or audio clips from the app via text or email and an option to block certain words from appearing in predictions, providing an extra layer of personalization.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Spoken - Tap to Talk AAC". App Store. 27 September 2024. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "Spoken – Tap to Talk AAC". Google Play Store. Retrieved 3 October 2024.
- ^ "About Spoken : Tap to Talk AAC". Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ "Spoken Gives a Voice to Those Who Can't Speak". Archived from the original on 2024-02-01.
- ^ Sebastian Diaz, Language App wins Start-Up Chile Demo Day, archived from the original on 2016-01-12
- ^ a b Anne Ravanona (2 February 2016), "How Start-Up Chile Put Their Ecosystem on the Global Map and Became a Benchmark for Other Countries", HuffPost, retrieved 2 February 2024
- ^ Anna Heim, "Tech in Latin America: All the News You Shouldn't Miss From the Past Month", The Next Web
- ^ "AAC App Update Aims to Boost Communication Access". AT Today. 12 April 2024. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Patch Gets To Know Spoken". Patch. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Igniting Innovation at AlphaLab Health". Highmark Health. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ "Alumni". Multiple. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ "Slalom Ventures Presents AI for Good Accelerator Demo Day". Slalom. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
- ^ "How a Zombie Hospital in Pennsylvania was Reborn as a Startup Accelerator". MD Next. AngelMD. 8 August 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Spoken AAC". Neil Squire Society. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ "Michael Bond". Ohio Southeast. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.