Speech Recognition

Speech or voice recognition is an artificial intelligence application related to natural language processing. It is the process of having the computer recognize normal human speech. When a speech recognition system is combined with a natural language processing system, the result is an overall system that not only recognizes voice input but also understands it.

While a tremendous amount of communications takes place by the written word, it is only a fraction of our daily communications by voice. Not only is this type of communication natural for us, but it is also faster. The average human speaking speed is approximately 150 words per minute. This is approximately twice as fast as an average typist.

One of the major benefits of voice input on a computer is that it prevents diversion of the eyes and hands. Typing in data on the keyboards keeps hands and the eyes busy. But with voice input, the eyes and the hands can concentrate on other activities. There are some computer applications where this advantage is major.