Company Press Release
Lernout & Hauspie and SGS-THOMSON
Microelectronics Sign Licensing Agreement for Speech
Recognition Technology
BURLINGTON, Mass., IEPER, Belgium and ST. GENIS, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 4,
1997--
ST Will Develop Dedicated DSP to Run L&H ASR200 Speech Recognition
Software in Automotive Multimedia and Other Electronic Systems
Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products (NASDAQ:LHSPF - news; L&H) and SGS-THOMSON
Microelectronics (NYSE:STM - news) today announced the signing of a license agreement for
speech recognition technology. SGS-THOMSON is in the process of developing an embedded
dedicated signal processor integrated circuit to run the L&H ASR200 speech recognition software in
automotive multimedia and other electronic systems. This circuit will be used to speech enable
applications for vehicles, such as navigation systems, cellular phones and instrumentation, allowing
hands free control to enhance road safety and user convenience.
Initially, SGS-THOMSON will offer this circuit with a choice of US English, UK English, German,
French and Italian speech recognition capability. In addition, the L&H text-to-speech (TTS) function
is expected to be included so that the circuit that can both accept commands and provide feedback.
The first ST speech processor circuits will be standalone components in a TQFP100 package;
subsequently the function will be included in superintegrated system-on-chip circuits.
''Voice-enabled interfaces to automotive electronics systems are an excellent example of how
speech technology is positively impacting consumers,'' said Gerry Calabrese, president of L&H's
Core Technology Division. ''These systems offer safety and convenience to the end user, allowing
them to enter data and receive information without taking their eyes off the road or their hands off the
wheel.''
''L&H speech recognition technology complements SGS-THOMSON's broad range of
technologies for car multimedia applications,'' said Aldo Romano, general manager of ST's Dedicated
Products Group. ''Combining this with know how in cellular phones, GPS, micro cores, audio and
many other areas allows us to offer our partners in the automotive industry complete system
solutions.''
L&H's ASR200 engine employs automatic speech recognition (ASR) technology, allowing machines
to recognize and respond to spoken words. The ASR200 Discrete Speech Recognition engine is
primarily used in environments with high background noise, such as an automobile, and includes
speaker independent, isolated word, and speech at a distance recognition capabilities. These
capabilities are especially useful in consumer automotive systems because they eliminate the need for
time-consuming data collection or training by the end user or applications developer.
About SGS-THOMSON
SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics is a global independent semiconductor company with strong
European roots listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:STM - news) and on the Bourse
de Paris. It designs, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of semiconductor integrated
circuits (ICs) and discrete devices used in a wide variety of microelectronic applications, including
telecommunications systems, computer systems, consumer products, automotive products and
industrial automation and control systems. For the year 1996, the company had revenues of $4.12
billion and net earnings of $625 million. Further information on SGS-THOMSON can be found at
www.st.com. The company has received numerous awards, including in 1997, the European Quality
Award, and has been recognized as one of the world's best companies by Industry Week and
Upside Magazine.
About Lernout & Hauspie
Lernout & Hauspie Speech Products (L&H) is an international leader in the development of
advanced speech technology for various commercial applications and products. The company is
divided into four divisions: core technologies; dictation, a division dedicated to discrete and
continuous speech offerings; translation services and products; and Internet services. Its four core
technologies are automatic speech recognition (ASR), text-to-speech (TTS), digital speech
compression and text-to-text (translation).
The company has its worldwide headquarters in Ieper, Belgium, its U.S. headquarters in Burlington,
Massachusetts and international sales offices throughout Asia.
This Press Release contains forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties,
including statements about L&H's objectives, expectations and intentions. Such statements include
statements that by signing this agreement with SGS-THOMSON, that SGS-THOMSON will use
L&H speech technology in its forthcoming products, SGS-THOMSON will complete these products
on a timely basis, if at all, that once developed will perform as anticipated, or that SGS-THOMSON
will play a key role in the distribution of the L&H text-to-speech and automatic speech recognition
technology in automotive industry. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements
involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, that by signing this agreement with
SGS-THOMSON that they will not be able to use the L&H speech technology and that L&H will
not be able to develop ASR and TTS technology for SGS-THOMSON specific applications, or that
once developed any of these products will perform as anticipated or be commercially successful. The
forward -looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this release. L&H
expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any
such statement to reflect any change in L&H's expectations or any change in events, conditions or
circumstances on which any such statement is based. |
