More information
Description
This EEA and Norway Grants-supported project, led by Speakquest SRL, a start-up founded in 2020 in Brasov, is dedicated to developing AI-driven solutions for children with speech and cognitive deficiencies. The Voxi products, consisting of SaaS and a mobile app, are aimed at enhancing various language skills. The project introduces VoxiClinic, a teletherapy platform, and VoxiKids App, enabling children to continue speech development at home. Aligned with the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child, this initiative utilizes advanced AI and Augmented Reality tools to improve pronunciation and speech capacities, aiding children in better integrating into school and social environments, with a special focus on L2 learners.
This project aims at increasing Speakquest''s competitiveness, and aims at having created 5 new jobs as well as signficantly increasing turnover by the end of the project. Further the goal is to create a new innovative AI solution to be integrated to the already existing VoxiKids App and VoxiClinic platform.
The extended project aims to expand its reach by adding English and Spanish support, making it more comprehensive and unique compared to competitors who do not leverage AI for speech therapy. The incorporation of AI-driven exercises, fine-tuning for English and Spanish, and adherence to compliance measures set a technological benchmark.
This project also has a strong bilateral component. Through a strategic relationship, Norwegian company OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) Analytics, a platform for data collection and analysis that offers superior analytics, intelligence, and insights on a particular subject or sector, will create additional modules and functions for Voxi. With the aid of their expertise, the applicant will be better able to comprehend the unique demands of the Norwegian speech therapy market, modify their product to meet those needs, and expand their clientele in the donor nation.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to tackle several important challenges related to speech and cognitive deficiencies in children. Many children struggle to get specialized speech therapy, so the project aimed to create tools that allow for teletherapy and home-based exercises, making therapy more accessible to everyone. By integrating advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR), the project sought to make therapy more effective and engaging for kids.
Immediate feedback on pronunciation and speech can greatly improve therapy outcomes. The project developed AI algorithms to provide real-time feedback, helping children correct their speech more quickly. Additionally, different languages have unique challenges in speech therapy. The project tailored its tools to address these specific needs, especially for English and Spanish speakers.
Ensuring that the tools comply with industry standards and data protection regulations (like GDPR) was crucial. The project aimed to enhance the technical robustness and compliance of its platforms. By addressing these challenges, the project aimed to create a more effective and accessible solution for children with speech and cognitive deficiencies, helping them integrate better into school and social environments.
The project undertook several key activities to enhance speech therapy tools for children. Firstly, it focused on project and product management to ensure that the plan was implemented coherently and all risks were addressed. This included making sure each development phase was completed and authorized by necessary stakeholders before moving on to the next phase.
One of the main activities was the creation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms for the Speech Processing Module in the VoxiKids App. These algorithms were designed to detect pronunciation errors in real-time and provide immediate feedback. Additionally, the project developed an Augmented Reality (AR) module for the VoxiKids App, which created an immersive way for children to practice speech and pronunciation at home.
The project also focused on integrating AI speech feedback into the VoxiClinic web platform, optimizing the pronunciation feedback mechanisms for live speech therapy sessions. Furthermore, the project included AI coaching sessions, where technical advisors provided monthly coaching to the development team. The communication plan involved various activities such as a project launch event, online updates, media articles, and a closure event to promote the project''s success and contributions.
The project achieved significant results, benefiting children with speech and cognitive deficiencies, as well as their families and speech therapists. The VoxiKids App and VoxiClinic platform were enhanced with new Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) modules, making speech therapy more effective and engaging. These tools provided real-time feedback on pronunciation, helping children improve their speech more quickly and efficiently.
The VoxiClinic platform was also enhanced to align with industry standards and ensure GDPR compliance, making it a robust tool for speech therapists. Additionally, the project created new jobs and contributed to the company''s growth, with an estimated annual growth in turnover and net operational profit.
Overall, the project had a positive impact on children with speech and cognitive deficiencies, their families, and speech therapists, providing them with advanced tools to support their therapy and development.
Summary of bilateral results
The project fostered a strategic relationship with OSINT Analytics, a platform specializing in data collection and analysis. This collaboration aimed to enhance the development of new Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) modules for the VoxiKids App and VoxiClinic platform. OSINT Analytics provided technical advisory services, including monthly coaching sessions, to support the development team in building advanced and efficient AI algorithms.Through this partnership, the project gained valuable insights into the Norwegian speech therapy market, allowing the applicant to tailor their products to meet specific needs and expand their clientele in Norway. The collaboration also contributed to the project''s overall success by ensuring that the AI and AR modules were developed with a high level of expertise and technical proficiency.