Liopa develop Visual Speech Recognition (VSR) technology - effectively automated Lip reading. The company are using this technology to create a communications application for tracheostomy patients, who can’t speak but can move their lips normally. The SRAVI application (Speech Recognition App for the Voice Impaired) will run on a smartphone and, when pointed towards the patient, will analyse their lip movements and decide which phrase, from a pre-defined list, is being uttered. Compared to the limited alternatives available, SRAVI will provide an easy-to-use, accurate and cost effective method for communication between these patients, their family members and healthcare staff. SRAVI will be trialled in 2 NHS critical care environments in mid 2019.
Our care systems cannot sustain the cost of the rapidly growing elder population. We need to move from a reactive to a pro-active model of care, and reducing loneliness is known to promote better health and faster recovery from illness and treatment.