MURRAY HILL, N.J.-Lucent Technologies Inc. introduced a text-to-speech and voice-recognition Internet access system called PhoneBrowser, designed to extend Web-based information to phone users through voice commands and responses.
Lucent said PhoneBrowser allows users to access the Internet from any telephone and access sites using natural language speech commands.
Responses are provided either by recorded voice or text-to-speech. Unlike other voice-browsing technologies, Lucent said PhoneBrowser is designed to work with any Web site that uses Hypertext Markup Language. Future versions of the technology will work with the next-generation of voice markup languages being developed in conjunction with the World Wide Web Consortium, the company said.
The new technology, invented by Bell Labs, is being developed as a new business by Lucent’s New Ventures Group.
The company said it will build, host and manage Web speech applications for wireless carriers or existing Web portals without voice access capabilities.
Expected services include e-mail reading, directions, traffic alerts, weather reports, stock quotes, telephone directories, concierge services and local information.
Its first customer trial is with DriveThere.com, a club that provides motor-related information and services to drivers via a Web portal. Its services include an online Department of Motor Vehicles that allows users to renew vehicle registration, order custom plates or pay parking tickets electronically, as well as destination and maintenance guides.
