Working Draft of VoiceXML 2.0 Gets Published
VoiceXML is an XML-based language for voice dialogs.
Its adoption could allow internet access to the visually disabled
29 October 2001
W3C is working to expand access to the Web to allow people to interact via key pads, spoken commands, listening to prerecorded speech, synthetic speech and music.
This will allow any telephone to be used to access appropriately designed Web-based services.
"Voice-enabled Web access creates opportunities for people with visual impairments
or those needing Web access while keeping their hands and eyes free for other things, such as getting directions while driving" says Dave Raggett, W3C Voice Browser Activity Lead and W3C Fellow from Openwave Systems.
"VoiceXML 2.0 is an excellent fit to telephony and will enable all kinds of new applications."
To fulfill this goal, W3C's Voice Browser Working Group, active since March 1999, has been developing the W3C Speech Interface Framework, a system which includes languages and functionalities for speech synthesis, speech grammars, semantic interpretations of results, call controls, pronunciation lexicons, natural language representation, and a markup language for voice dialogs.
Last week VoiceXML 2.0 was published after W3C and the VoiceXML Forum announced plans for cooperation through a jointly signed Memorandum of Understanding.
Markup Language for Voice Applications
VoiceXML 2.0 is the voice dialog language under development at W3C.
Designed to create audio dialogs that feature synthesized speech, digitized audio, recognition of spoken and DTMF (touch-tone) key input, recording of spoken input, telephony, and mixed-initiative conversations. Its major goal is to bring the advantages of Web-based development and content delivery to interactive voice response applications.
W3C and VoiceXML Forum Cooperation Key to Development
Earlier work on VoiceXML was completed within the VoiceXML Forum. A desire to bring the work of both the VoiceXML Forum and the W3C Voice Browser Working Group together led both organizations to jointly produce and sign a Memorandum of understanding.
Both organizations have agreed that W3C is to serve as the organization for VoiceXML technical development, and that the VoiceXML Forum shall continue to serve as an advocate for the adoption of VoiceXML Technologies.
"The synergy between the VoiceXML Forum and the W3C has enabled the rapid development and implementation of VoiceXML" according to Bill Dykas, Chairman of the VoiceXML Forum's Board of Directors.
"The release of VoiceXML 2.0 is the latest example of what the combined efforts of the two groups can achieve. The Forum looks forward to accomplishing even more with the W3C in the future."
Speech Interface Framework to Evolve
Support for the continued work is strong, as evidenced by the range of testimonials.
All W3C Voice Browser Working Group members have made patent disclosures in advance of the first public Working Draft. While the licensing issues have yet to be resolved, the VoiceXML 2.0 specification has been made available in order to allow members of the Web community the opportunity to provide comments on both technical and licensing issues associated with this Working Draft.
www.3wc.org
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