MapQuest.com and SpeechWorks to Develop First Speech Recognition Application for Accessing Driving Directions Over the Phone
September 13, 1999 10:49 AM
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 13, 1999--
--Companies Also Collaborate to Deliver Packaged SpeechSite Solution to MapQuest.com Business Customers --
MapQuest.com, Inc. MQST , a leader in destination information solutions, today announced that it has selected Boston-based SpeechWorks International, Inc., the leading provider of conversational speech recognition technology and products for over-the-telephone solutions, to develop the first speech recognition application for accessing driving directions over the phone. Based on SpeechWorks' technology, MapQuest.com will be able to offer access to its web-based travel information via the phone regardless of the type of phone or service being used. In addition, MapQuest.com has partnered with SpeechWorks to offer SpeechSite(TM), SpeechWorks' new packaged solution, to MapQuest.com business customers.
The MapQuest.com application will use SpeechWorks' leading speech recognition technology to allow callers to receive driving directions automatically by simply dialing a toll free number. The service will prompt callers to provide their location and destination by saying: "Where are you coming from?" and "Where are you going?". The system will transmit the caller's spoken answers to the on-line MapQuest.com engine and provide an audio output. The user will be able to control the output with voice commands such as "repeat" and "next". Other output options will include: email, fax, MP3 file, WAV file, send to my pager, send to my Palm Pilot, send to my cell phone and send to my voice mail.
"MapQuest.com opens yet another window to its valuable services through SpeechWorks' advanced speech recognition technology," said Mike Mulligan, Chairman and CEO of MapQuest.com. "MapQuest.com is proud to be able to deliver products and services virtually anywhere, anytime and on any device, offering our users the utmost in convenience. This new service will be available around the clock and provides callers with easy access to our directions by simply talking into their phone."
"MapQuest.com's plan for a MapQuest toll-free number is a perfect application for our technology," said Stuart R. Patterson, CEO of SpeechWorks. "MapQuest.com has a huge graphical database of maps, routes, driving directions, landmarks and addresses, all available at the 'click of the mouse.' The MapQuest service will give callers the audio version of the data on its web site, allowing customers to obtain the information from the convenience of any phone--just by using their voice."
MapQuest.com also plans to integrate, by 1st Quarter 2000, its speech recognition application for driving directions to users of SpeechSite. Recently developed by SpeechWorks, SpeechSite is the first solution to package auto attendant, information retrieval and e-commerce capabilities seamlessly into a single, speech-activated system. The MapQuest.com integration will allow businesses using SpeechSite to let consumers find and get directions to the nearest branch, store or office. Each of MapQuest.com's over 700 business partners will have the option to purchase the MapQuest version of SpeechSite, giving their customers the convenience of providing information both on the web and on the phone.
About MapQuest.com
MapQuest.com, Inc. is the leader in destination information solutions and digital mapping services. The company launched its popular Web site (www.mapquest.com) on February 5, 1996. Today, MapQuest.com receives more than 3.9 million unique visitors monthly1 to its consumer Web site.
MapQuest.com also licenses its technology to over 700 business partners. Through these licensing agreements MapQuest.com helps businesses integrate maps and driving directions into their Internet, intranet and call center applications for improved marketing and customer service functions. MapQuest.com's diverse network of more than 700 business partners, includes: Yahoo (YHOO), Lycos (LCOS), Infoseek (SEEK), Excite @Home (ATHM), AOL Digital City (AOL), CitySearch (TMCS), Travelocity (TSG), Bank of America (BAC), MasterCard, Kinko's, Blockbuster, and Dayton Hudson (DH). In July of 1999, over 12.7 million Internet users accessed MapQuest.com maps and directions, equating to a 20.2% reach of the entire web audience(1).
In addition to Web-enabled mapping services, MapQuest.com also provides high-quality maps and geographic content in digital form for a variety of vertical industries including publishing, travel, hotels, real estate and retailers. MapQuest.com is listed on the NASDAQ; the ticker symbol is MQST.
(1) Media Metrix, July 1999
About SpeechWorks International, Inc.
SpeechWorks International, Inc. is the creator of SpeechSite(TM), the first solution to bring the Web model of self-service to the phone, enabling corporations to greet callers, route their calls and respond to requests 24 hours a day, seven days a week. SpeechSite is based on the company's award winning, multi-language solution, SpeechWorks(R) 5.0, a solution that sets a new standard in speech-enabled e-business with unprecedented recognition accuracy and ease of deployment. SpeechWorks' customer base comprises over ten of the Fortune 100, including BellSouth, Continental Airlines, E*TRADE, Guardian, Hewlett-Packard, McKesson HBOC, NEXTLINK/FedEx and United Airlines. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with offices worldwide, SpeechWorks is a privately-held corporation with financing from venture capital firms, Intel Corporation and SAP. The company's solutions incorporate several patented technologies, and are based on research originally conducted at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. To experience the power of SpeechWorks, please call toll-free: 1.888.SAY.DEMO. For additional information, call our SpeechSite at 617.428.4444 or visit speechworks.com.
MapQuest.com has included in this press release certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 concerning MapQuest.com's business, operations and financial condition. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties and MapQuest.com cautions you that any forward-looking information provided by or on behalf of MapQuest.com is not a guarantee of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including (i) the volatile and competitive nature of the Internet industry, (ii) changes in domestic and foreign economic and market conditions, (iii) the effect of federal, state and foreign regulation on MapQuest.com's business, (iv) the development of competitive Web sites and businesses; (v) MapQuest.com's relative mix of Internet and traditional and digital mapping businesses, (vi) MapQuest.com's ability to protect its intellectual property rights and (vii) the effect of any future acquisitions. Investors are also directed to consider the other risks and uncertainties discussed in MapQuest.com's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. All such forward-looking statements are current only as of the date on which such statements were made. MapQuest.com does not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which any such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
SpeechWorks and SpeechSite are either trademarks or registered trademarks of SpeechWorks International, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
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