Cambridge Innovation Capital has led a significant £3.1 million seed funding round into a company specialising in real-time audio processing technology for Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) systems.
The Cambridge-based firm, bolstered by this investment, aims to enhance consumer electronics with improved ASR systems. The funding round included participation from Cambridge Enterprise, the University of Cambridge’s commercialisation arm, and two local business angels. The use of speech control in consumer electronics is on the rise, with smart speakers emerging as the fastest-growing segment in early 2018.
AudioTelligence’s technology significantly boosts the accuracy of ASR systems found in mobile devices, home assistants, and hands-free automotive systems. It processes outputs from low-cost uncalibrated microphones, offering substantial improvements in separating a speaker’s voice from background noise and other conversations. Additionally, this technology is applicable to the hearing assistance market.
Andrew Williamson, Investment Director at CIC, stated that AudioTelligence’s source separation technologies, built on world-leading research, provide a data-driven solution to the challenge of isolating speech from a mix of other sounds. These technologies outperform existing state-of-the-art solutions and have the potential to materially improve the real-world performance of a range of voice-activated devices.
Ken Roberts, CEO of AudioTelligence, expressed that the investment will enable the company to expand its team and commercialise its source separation technologies. He added, ‘We are delighted with the support our investors are providing and look forward to working with them as we grow AudioTelligence.’
AudioTelligence is a spin-out from Cambridge-based CEDAR Audio Limited, a renowned leader in audio restoration, dialogue noise suppression, and speech enhancement for the entertainment and audio forensic sectors. Elaine Loukes, Investment Manager at Cambridge Enterprise, noted, ‘AudioTelligence is a spin-out from CEDAR Audio, which is the oldest company in our portfolio. It’s a real pleasure to be working with a new company that we know to have an excellent pedigree.’
This investment signifies a robust endorsement of AudioTelligence’s innovative technology and its potential to revolutionise various ASR applications, reinforcing its status as a forward-thinking leader in the field of voice technology.