Been to the bank lately? Hope it was to make a deposit.

I took Suzanne to the bank today, the voicebank. We are working to have her voice saved in a voicebank in case she is unable to speak in the future. Recording words, phrases, and sentences that can be analyzed and create a virtual voice that sounds like her is the goal.

We are working on this from two different directions. First, I have put together a large number of words and phrases that I am recording and saving on the computer. If in the future we need these, we will have them.

The second system we are trying is The Voice Keeper. With this system, Suzanne reads up to 500 sentences provided on the website. From there, computers develop a synthesized voice that can be used in the future with a variety of software products. Here is an example at 200, almost halfway through the process of developing her synthesized voice.

Some of her favorite statements so far have include: Have you got the mail today? Can you get me some water? Who called? What are you eating? and my personal favorite. . . I love you! Although not perfect, this voice will be better to listen to than a typical Google or Alexia voice.

The impression we get from the Doctors is that this is probably not necessary; but if we wait till after the surgery and discover it is, it’s too late. So over this weekend, Suzanne will be making many deposits into the bank with the hope of never making a withdrawal.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27