Consortium makes call on voice-activated browsing

A consortium has agreed on a standard for VoiceXML, potentially bringing voice-activated web browsing closer to reality.

A consortium has agreed on a standard for VoiceXML, potentially bringing voice-activated web browsing closer to reality.

The VoiceXML Forum, which includes AT&T, IBM, Lucent and Motorola, said it has now completed version 1.0 of the VoiceXML specification, which is based on the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) XML.

VoiceXML provides an application programming interface for speech and telephony systems aimed at application developers, service providers and equipment manufacturers.

An AT&T representative said the forum hopes to present its specification to the W3C for formal ratification within the next two months, but was unable to say how long ratification might take. "I predict that in the next year or two you will see more devices that are capable of connecting to the internet and would expect that, in that same time frame, you might see voice interfaces added to them," he said.

Three developers at AT&T Labs began work on the language in 1996, but when AT&T spun off Lucent Technologies the three went their separate ways.

One remained at AT&T Labs, one went to Lucent's Bell Labs and the other to Motorola.

However, when Lucent, AT&T, IBM and Motorola saw the research was being continued in parallel, they wanted to ensure product compatibility, and as a result formed the VoiceXML Forum last year to complete the work.

According to the forum, which now has 79 members, standardisation of VoiceXML will simplify the creation of Web-based, personalised interactive voice response services and of new voice-enabled devices and appliances.

It will also enable customers to access integrated call centre databases, company intranets and online information and services using their own voices over the phone.

William Meisel, president of TMA Associates, said VoiceXML is a key component to help the telephone network fulfil its potential to grow in information services and automated commerce such as the internet. However, the difficulty of integrating them with quality voice services has prevented it from doing so, he said.