Johnson Controls and VoiceBox Technologies Collaborate to Deliver Conversational Voice Search to Automotive Market
DETROIT, Jan. 12 - Johnson Controls, Inc. (NYSE:JCI) and VoiceBox(R) Technologies Inc. today announced a multi-year deal to provide conversational voice search and retrieval features on Johnson Controls' BlueConnect(R) wireless mobile device gateway to the automotive market. Product availability and details around specific rollout will be announced at a later date. The telematics voice search capabilities, which include Bluetooth(R) hands-free dialing and in-vehicle music navigation, are some of the many innovations featured at Johnson Controls' product and technology exhibit at the 2006 North American International Auto Show.
The agreement names VoiceBox as the exclusive supplier of conversational language technology for Johnson Controls' telematics portfolio. This relationship combines Johnson Controls' global leadership in automotive interiors and electronics with VoiceBox's expertise in voice search and conversational language processing.
"VoiceBox's voice search capabilities will enable our customers to optimize the use of Johnson Controls' BlueConnect technology by offering a more intuitive user interface," said Jim Geschke, vice president and general manager of electronics, North America for Johnson Controls. "We selected VoiceBox after extensive testing because of its distinct, accurate and reliable voice user interface platform that allows users to speak in a natural informal way when operating in-vehicle devices such as navigation and music management, particularly in noisy car cabin environments."
"We're delighted to be working with a leading, global provider of advanced telematics products," said Mike Kennewick, CEO and chairman of VoiceBox Technologies. "Our conversational voice search and navigation technology will perfectly complement Johnson Controls' robust telematics offerings and will enable users to simply say it and get it, without struggling with complex menus or the need to memorize voice commands."
The foundation of VoiceBox Technologies' product is based on advanced algorithms called Knowledge Enhanced Search and Speech Recognition (KESSR), which dynamically create searches and queries based on context and user intent. Simply put, the technology allows the user to speak in free form and will determine context and intent from the dialogue, and then executes a search without requiring the user to memorize exact commands. Consistent and highly accurate recognition rates for complex utterances in noisy environments make this technology particularly appealing, and also sets it apart from the often-frustrating experience users have with current technologies on the market.
VoiceBox(R) Technologies offers the world's first conversational voice search platform, called the VoiceBox Navigator Platform(TM), enabling breakthrough conversational search and navigation of digital content from any mobile device and from any IP network. A key differentiator for VoiceBox's Navigator Platform is that it consistently achieves a remarkable level of task completion searching across multiple content domains through its Knowledge Enhanced Search and Speech Recognition (KESSR) algorithms, which determine the context and intention behind the words spoken by the user. Intelligent queries and searches are then dynamically executed based on such context and user intent. The VoiceBox Navigator Platform runs on various embedded, desktop and server systems for applications such as music and media, navigation and driving directions, directory and hands-free dialing, and control over digital devices. VoiceBox, headquartered in Kirkland, Wash., develops and sells rich conversational language and voice search applications for the automotive, digital home, mobile phone and VOIP markets. More information is available through the Web site found at www.voicebox.com/ .
Johnson Controls is a global leader in interior experience, building efficiency and power solutions. The company provides innovative automotive interiors that help make driving more comfortable, safe and enjoyable. For buildings, it offers products and services that optimize energy use and improve comfort and security. Johnson Controls also provides batteries for automobiles and hybrid electric vehicles, along with systems engineering and service expertise. Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI) has 136,000 employees in more than 1,000 locations serving customers in 125 countries. Founded in 1885, the company is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For additional information, please visit www.johnsoncontrols.com/ .
CONTACT: Debra Lacey of Johnson Controls, +1-734-254-5735, or Scott Snelling of VoiceBox Technologies, +1-425-246-0954, or (Media only) Tara Gajadhar of Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, +1-425-638-7073
Web site: www.johnsoncontrols.com/ www.naias.com/ www.voicebox.com/
