Control of Mobile Robots

The Acoustic Magic in Action

This press release is about the control of mobile robots by the Acoustic Magic Voice Tracker Array Microphone . The microphone is ideal for those who wish to use speech recognition without a headset, and the application discussed below, is successful because of the range, wide angle of effectiveness, and sensitivity of this microphone.

CONYERS, GA—March 5, 2004; GeckoSystems Inc., a leading developer of mobile robot solutions has Certified the Voice Tracker™ Array Microphone for use with its CareBot™ Mobile Service Robots (MSRs).

According to Martin Spencer, CEO of GeckoSystems, the combination of the Voice Tracker™ Array’s long effective range and the robustness of the GeckoChat™ verbal interaction package enables not only verbal command and control but also surrogate short-term memory assistance such as a verbal reminder for timely medication regimens and other appointments. As part of the Certification process, GeckoSystems tested the Voice Tracker™ Array at ranges of up to fifteen feet in environments with low noise and up to six feet in environments with high noise, while the MSR automatically self-navigated. GeckoSystems is completing the final stages for delivering an MSR platform to home healthcare (telemedicine) markets.

“We believe that our Voice Tracker™ intelligent array microphone is useful for robotics command and control because it scans a full 180 degree field of view in front of the robot, and can even pickup speech from behind.” said Bob Feingold, CEO of Acoustic Magic. The Voice Tracker locates a talker and electronically steers a “listening beam,” like an acoustic searchlight, in that direction. This creates spatial filtering; sounds from other parts of the room are not picked up. In addition, constant background noise is removed by digital noise reduction algorithms. This two-stage noise reduction, coupled with increased sensitivity since the Voice Tracker’s eight microphone elements are used continuously and constructively, give the Voice Tracker outstanding range and sound quality. Mr. Spencer stated, “We are very pleased with this contemporary solution to our verbal interaction system’s need for clarity for robust voice recognition.”

About GeckoSystems, Inc.

GeckoSystems, Inc. (GSI) is a leading developer of mobile robot solutions based in Conyers (Atlanta metro), Georgia, specializing in supplying service robots that autonomously navigate home, office, or place of business facilities without human assistance. GSI’s products readily address mobile monitoring needs for: Law Enforcement & Security (Homeland Security), Professional Healthcare (telemedicine), and Consumer (family care, home security). For additional information, see www.GeckoSystems.com or contact Martin Spencer (MSpencer@GeckoSystems.com), or 678 413 9236.

About Acoustic Magic, Inc.

Acoustic Magic, Inc., located in the Boston suburbs, manufactures a desktop microphone that has found application in speech recognition, meeting and transcription recording, VoIP and conventional teleconferencing, and voice control for home automation. The Voice Trackertm Array microphone has been Certified by Dragon and ViaVoice speech recognition software, HomeSeer Home Automation software, as well as WinScribe dictation recording software..