Apple Acquires Artificial-Intelligence Startup VocalIQ
October 02 2015 - 4:26PM
Dow Jones News
By Jack Nicas
Apple Inc. has purchased an artificial-intelligence startup that
could help make iPhone users' interactions with the virtual
assistant Siri more natural.
Apple bought VocalIQ Ltd., a U.K.-based software maker working
on ways to improve computers' ability to understand human speech
and to "speak" more naturally. Terms of the deal weren't
disclosed.
An Apple spokesman confirmed the deal with the company's
standard statement after an acquisition, saying Apple "buys smaller
technology companies from time to time, and we generally do not
discuss our purpose or plans." VocalIQ didn't immediately respond
to a request for comment.
The acquisition could help Apple's efforts to bolster Siri,
which is controlled by voice commands and sometimes struggles to
understand users.
VocalIQ says on its website that its software helps computers
speak more naturally by learning from each interaction with a
human, employing an artificial-intelligence technique called deep
learning. VocalIQ software also seeks to help computers better
understand commands and their context.
The tech industry increasingly hopes to use voice commands to
control everything from cars to robots to Internet-connected
devices in homes. While voice-recognition technology is improving,
engineers say computers have a long way to go to consistently
understand humans' intentions and reply in natural ways.
VocalIQ could improve a wide variety of Apple devices, including
potentially cars. Last year, the Journal reported that VocalIQ was
working with General Motors Co. on a system that lets drivers
control their cars' navigation and entertainment systems with their
voices.
The acquisition was earlier reported by Business Weekly in the
U.K.
Write to Jack Nicas at jack.nicas@wsj.com
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
October 02, 2015 16:11 ET (20:11 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2015 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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