Tapping the language translation and speech-to-text capabilities of IBM’s Watson IoT platform, Bragi has transformed its smart earphones ‘The Dash’ into a new device dubbed as “hearables.” The wireless headset is designed to receive instructions to communicate with co-workers, which allows people to interact with each other and keep an eye on the operations of their teams.
“Hearables will transform the way we work and have a tremendous impact on the business processes of the future. Packed with sensors, The Dash is uniquely equipped to realize the potential of truly contextual audible computing,” said Nikolaj Hviid, CEO and founder of Bragi.
“We are very excited to tap IBM’s industry leading cognitive computing capabilities through the Watson IoT platform as well as benefit from IBM’s enormous experience in global innovation that touches people’s lives.”
The two companies are even looking into how head gestures could enable users to respond to instructions or send commands for simple tasks such as turning the page in an instruction manual during hands-on or dangerous tasks.
The duo has identified six initial focus areas in the enterprise to create the most value for business customers: worker safety, guided instructions, smart employee notifications, team communications, workforce analysis and optimization, and biometric ID.
“With Watson’s language translation capabilities and the increasing pervasiveness of smart devices, conversational interfaces will start to challenge the visual user interfaces of today,”said Harriet Green, Global Head, IBM Watson IoT.
“Users will increasingly talk to their devices and interact with their homes and workplaces in more natural, interactive and convenient ways. With Bragi we arel ooking at how this development can go even further with a powerful audio and sensory interface that fits inside the ear opening up a myriad of new opportunities for transforming the workplace.”
IBM is also working with brands like Whirlpool, Panasonic and Nokia to demonstrate how Watson could add cognitive computing capabilities to consumer electronics. With the “hearables”, the company is hard at work to make workplace communications more simplified.
