Engineering, Management & Integration, Inc. (EM&I), as the prime contractor, and Global Associates, Ltd. (Global), as a subcontractor, propose to assess the feasibility of implementing an Interactive Audio (IA) Human-System Interface (HSI) to obtain data from information systems. As proposed, the IA HSI will provide warfighters with a means of timely access to data, while allowing them to simultaneously perform other mission essential activities. It could be especially useful to shorten response times in rapid response situations, allowing personnel to obtain information using voice and hearing, leaving eyes and hands free to perform other activities. Our proposal focuses on the exploitation of human multi-sensory capabilities to increase productivity and information transfer. It builds on the results of the proprietary Audio Publications Services (APS) initiative performed by the EM&I/Global Team. The APS initiative defines a concept for providing commuters interactive audio services, including a prototype for an audio newspaper. This concept will be expanded to encompass the broad range of IA HSI applications. Phase I objectives include developing design concepts for IA HSI implementation and a prototype that demonstrates the projected user environment. The EM&I/Global Team proposes six tasks to accomplish the Phase I objectives plus an optional seventh task to support transition to Phase II. Collectively, these tasks provide the requirements generation, technical analysis, design synthesis, and prototyping needed to achieve the Phase I objectives and establish the foundation for IA HSI implementation. The EM&I/Global Team is committed to this effort and proposes highly qualified personnel to ensure its successful completion.
Keywords: Interactive Audio Speech Recognition Speech Synthesis Interactive Speech Text-To-Speech Hands-Free O