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That could soon change thanks to a new speech recognition solution for manufacturing machines, developed by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology (IDMT) in Oldenburg, Germany.
The technology, which allows employees to use ‘intuitive’ voice commands on the factory floor, was showcased to an audience of specialists at the Hannover Messe trade show preview today (15 February).
Using voice-controlled machines in manufacturing was previously considered prone to errors, the researchers said, so it was rarely adopted as a result. The new method, which controls machines using voice commands from wireless headsets or stationary microphones, tackles the issue of loud ambient noise using a combination of directional microphones and an effective noise-cancelling system.
The result is a speech recognition system that functions reliably, even on a noisy factory floor, the team said.
“For the first time, our technology is enabling people to control machines in manufacturing using voice commands in a reliable, intuitive way. For manufacturing companies, this means increased efficiency and lower costs,” said Marvin Norda, manager of the Voice Controlled Production project.
The technology also has advantages for employees, the team said, as contactless machine operation is safer and more hygienic. When employees are controlling multiple machines, it reduces how far they need to walk — they can use a mobile device to issue voice commands from a distance. They have both hands free, allowing them to place a workpiece in position while giving a robot instructions such as ‘lower the arm’ or ‘grip the workpiece’ at the same time.
Controlling a machine through voice commands is more efficient than using a control panel or touch panel, the researchers claimed. Clicking through nested menus can be cumbersome and error-prone, whereas direct voice commands involve simple instructions.
“The speech recognition technology can handle hundreds of individual commands depending on the application and is not limited to a particular voice. New or modified commands can be quickly added and trained into the system,” said Norda.
The researchers drew on many years of experience researching and developing audio technologies and speech recognition software to develop the system.
“We are developing adaptable system solutions for industry customers. The voice control system can be configured to meet their individual needs and quickly put into operation,” said Norda.
The speech recognition software can be integrated in the cloud or a company server, depending on requirements. The system can also incorporate a mini-PC, or integrate into a machine’s programmable logic controller (PLC).
The solution, which was sponsored by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation, is now ready for the market and is being tested by some industrial customers.
The technology will be demonstrated with a voice-controlled milling machine at the Hannover Messe trade show in April.
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