RUGGEDIZED, MOBILE, SPONTANEOUS TRANSLATION SYSTEM
SRI International’s IraqComm translation system performs bidirectional, speech-to-speech machine translation between English and colloquial Iraqi Arabic. The IraqComm system provides mobile translation capability to field operations personnel, including warfighters, relief workers, employees of reconstruction contractors, and others. The IraqComm system is currently tailored to translate spoken interactions on topics on force protection, security, and basic medical services, and can be customized to include other topics as needed.
TRUSTWORTHY, UNBIASED TRANSLATION
While the number of trained human interpreters is limited, IraqComm is always available and untiring, as well as being secure. Its easy-to-use graphical user interface is highly intuitive to novice users, and requires minimal training. As users become familiar with the system, IraqComm provides considerable flexibility and control for experienced users. Conversations can be logged for later review or archiving.
DEVELOPED IN THE LAB,
VALIDATED IN THE FIELD
SRI’s Speech Technology and Research (STAR) Laboratory led development of the IraqComm system under Phase I of the DARPA program Spoken Language Communication and Translation System for Tactical Use (TRANSTAC). The TRANSTAC goal is to demonstrate capabilities to rapidly develop and field robust, reliable systems that enable naturally paced conversations for mobile users in tactical environments.
After IraqComm demonstrated leading performance in competitive laboratory tests under Phase 1 of TRANSTAC, in spring 2006 the U.S. military selected the IraqComm system for evaluation in real tactical operations in Iraq, primarily for interacting with Iraqi forces preparing to take over responsibilities from the Multinational Force.
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HOW IT WORKS
Underneath its intuitive user interface, IraqComm integrates three powerful advanced software technologies: automatic speech recognition (ASR), machine translation (MT), and text-to-speech synthesis (TTS). To start a dialog, you speak into the microphone and the system records your voice. The ASR module processes the recording and displays what it heard on the screen. The MT module translates the phrase into the target language (e.g., Iraqi Arabic). The TTS module then “speaks” this translation, which is also displayed on the screen.
In order to simplify and speed up communication, the IraqComm interface provides a shortcut menu of frequently used phrases. You can also change the phrase to be translated by editing it with the keyboard or by selecting a similarsounding phrase with a single button press. The system has a vocabulary of nearly 40,000 English and 50,000 Iraqi Arabic words, and runs on industry-standard, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
IraqComm runs on desktop, notebook, or even tablet PCs running Windows XP. To support mobile usage in demanding environments, IraqComm has been delivered on Panasonic Toughbook models 18, 29, and 51 and can be readily be adapted to other hardware platforms upon request.
Recommended Platform Specifications
| Operating System
| Windows XP |
| Processor Speed |
2.0 GHz |
| RAM |
2 GB |
| Application Storage |
40+ GB disk space |
| Screen Resoluion |
1600 x 1200 pixels |
Minimum Platform Specifications
| Operating System |
Windows XP |
| Processor Speed |
1.2 GHz |
| RAM |
1.5 GB |
| Application Storage |
40 GB disk space |
| Screen Resoluion |
1024 x 768 pixels |
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R&D Divisions