3/12/02 --STMicroelectronics To Embed IBM's Via Voice Speech Technology in Processor Platforms for the Automotive and Mobile Internet \
Geneva, March 13, 2002. STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with IBM Voice Systems concerning voice interface technology for mobile Internet terminals and Telematics solutions. According to the memorandum of understanding, ST plans to license IBM's Embedded ViaVoice speech technology and embed the software in new processor platforms targeting Telematics and mobile Internet solutions. The two companies plan to close an agreement that would govern how the parties work together on the development and marketing of the new speech-enabled products. ST plans to initially use Embedded ViaVoice software in the new STA2000 series of ARM9-based mobile multimedia processor platforms. These system-on-chip solutions are aimed primarily at Internet-enabled mobile terminals, including next generation smart phones and Personal Digital Assistants. There are also plans to port the Embedded ViaVoice technology to mobile multimedia platforms addressing automotive and audio applications. "The emergence of Internet-enabled mobile terminals is one of the key forces that will drive growth in the hi-tech industry over the next few years," said Aldo Romano, General Manager of ST's Telecommunication and Peripherals/Automotive Groups. "Cost effective and reliable voice technology will accelerate the introduction of these terminals by making them much easier to use, improving the human-machine interface with natural spoken commands." IBM's Embedded ViaVoice family of products includes solutions for every aspect of a voice-enabled Internet. IBM ViaVoice's distributed voice technology includes embedded software for Internet appliances and server software for service providers. The Embedded ViaVoice software to be licensed by ST includes robust voice recognition plus text-to-speech conversion. The IBM Embedded ViaVoice Standard Multiplatform Edition performs speaker independent voice command and control with an active 500-word vocabulary using just 50MIPS. However, applications can use multiple 500-word vocabularies making the number of words or phrases limited only by the amount of memory in a device. IBM's Embedded Text-To-Speech vocabulary is unlimited. "Voice technology is rapidly increasing its presence in business and consumer products," said Ozzie Osborne General Manager, IBM Voice Systems. "We are pleased to be working with ST. IBM's Embedded ViaVoice software can provide a full range of applications -- from Internet appliances to cars to consumer electronics and telecommunications. Demand is increasing dramatically as businesses realize the value that voice technology adds." STMicroelectronics's STA2000 series of mobile multimedia platforms integrate on a single system-on-chip a powerful ARM 9 core plus all of the peripherals and embedded software required for mobile Internet applications such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and Internet appliances. Thanks to a very broad range of hardware and software IP, ST can tailor the basic chip design to suit the needs of OEMS, adding new capabilities or optimizing power consumption.
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