Spoken (also known as Spoken - Tap to Talk AAC and Spoken AAC) is a mobile application and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tool launched in 2019.[3] The app was designed to aid individuals with speech and language impairments like aphasia or nonverbal autism, using a combination of symbols, text, and voice output.
 | |
 Spoken's word prediction UI and voice selection as seen on tablet and smartphone | |
| Other names | Spoken, Spoken AAC |
|---|---|
| Original author(s) | Michael Bond |
| Developer(s) | Spoken, Inc. |
| Initial release | 2019 |
| Stable release | |
| Operating system | iOS, Android, MacOS |
| Available in | English |
| Type | Augmentative and alternative communication application software |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | spokenaac |
History edit
Michael Bond began development of Spoken in 2015, prompted by a need for modern and accessible tools in speech therapy, as traditional methods had not significantly changed in the last 50 years.[4] The project saw considerable advancement due to participation in the Start-Up Chile accelerator program, where it took first place against eighteen competing startups on the 13th generation's Demo Day in November 2015.[5][6] The app officially launched in 2019.
The real-world application of Spoken's technology was unexpectedly extended during the COVID-19 pandemic, assisting patients recovering from ventilator use. By March 2021, the application had garnered over 10,000 downloads and reported a sustained 20% monthly growth.[7] By May 2022, it was averaging an additional 1,000 downloads per week.[8]
In February 2022, Spoken joined AlphaLab Health, a startup accelerator by Allegheny Health Network and Innovation Works. This provided the company with access to clinical resources, funding, and mentorship, further enabling its growth.[8]
Spoken has set out to expand its technological offerings to more languages, seeking to address the needs of underserved populations and preparing for growing global demand.[6][7]
Operation edit
Spoken distinguishes itself from other AAC applications through the use of an artificial neural network that provides predictive text capabilities, similar to a smartphone's autocomplete function.[9] This feature learns from the user's speech patterns, offering increasingly personalized suggestions over time. Additionally, Spoken can tailor its predictions based on the user's location, providing contextually relevant suggestions in specific settings such as restaurants or hospitals.
The application includes a selection of natural-sounding, synthesized voices with customization options for pitch, speed, and volume, enabling users to choose a voice that best represents their identity or preferences.
Spoken supports a variety of input methods to accommodate different user needs and preferences. Beyond conventional typing and predictive text, it recognizes handwriting and even simple drawings, translating these inputs into spoken words.[10] Users can also display their sentences in fullscreen scale for communicating in high volume environments or in situations where they don't want to make noise.
Another feature of Spoken is its "attention button." This feature was designed as a substitution for verbal cues like clearing one's throat.[11] A single tap of this button repeatedly blinks the device's flashlight and plays a customizable, attention-grabbing sound. AAC users can use this feature to notify others that they are about to speak, or to quickly get someone's attention in an emergency.
For additional accessibility, Spoken incorporates features like large print, dark mode, and word dividers to ensure that the app is usable and comfortable for individuals with varying needs.[10]
Other features include the ability to quickly share written content from the app via text or email and an option to block certain words from appearing in predictions, providing an extra layer of personalization.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Spoken - Tap to Talk AAC". App Store. 3 January 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "Spoken – Tap to Talk AAC". Google Play Store. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "About Spoken : Tap to Talk AAC". Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ "Spoken Gives a Voice to Those Who Can't Speak". TechOhio. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ Sebastian Diaz, Language App wins Start-Up Chile Demo Day, archived from the original on 2016-01-12
- ^ a b "How Start-Up Chile Put Their Ecosystem on the Global Map and Became a Benchmark for Other Countries". HuffPost. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Patch Gets To Know Spoken". Patch. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Igniting Innovation at AlphaLab Health". Highmark Health. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ "How a Zombie Hospital in Pennsylvania was Reborn as a Startup Accelerator". MD Next. AngelMD. 8 August 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Spoken AAC". Neil Squire Society. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ "Michael Bond". Ohio Southeast. 8 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.