Quips: An AI Tool Empowering ALS Patients to Communicate with Their Unique Voice

Motor neuron disease (MND), commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease in the U.S., tragically robs individuals of their ability to speak. However, artificial intelligence (AI) holds promise for enhancing the quality of life for MND patients through a groundbreaking tool developed by Rolls-Royce and R² Data Labs. Collaborating with the Motor Neurone Disease Association and tech giants like Intel and Microsoft, Rolls-Royce has introduced Quips, a tool that combines AI with voice banking to help users communicate even after they lose their natural speech.

Voice banking enables MND patients to preserve their unique speech patterns by recording audio clips while they can still speak. These recordings are then utilized to create a synthetic voice, allowing users to maintain their communication abilities as their condition progresses.

Although still in the early stages of development, the MND Association highlights that Quips aims to enable real-time communication that surpasses existing systems. By actively listening to ongoing conversations, Quips analyzes the context and provides multiple response suggestions, eliminating the need for users to type.

Moreover, Quips is designed to mimic the user's accent and familiar expressions. Rolls-Royce claims that it can adapt to different social situations, adjusting its tone based on whether the user is at work, home, or socializing in a bar. For instance, when asked if they wanted a drink, Quips might suggest a casual request for tea.

Rolls-Royce envisions integrating this innovative AI into existing communication tools for MND patients. However, the timeline for Quips' launch outside of the laboratory remains unspecified.