AI-Powered Voice Replacement Technology: Moving Toward a Patient-Ready Product
Losing the ability to speak can severely affect a person’s ability to communicate and their quality of life. This can affect people who have undergone surgical removal of the larynx, require prolonged mechanical ventilation, or live with certain neurological conditions. Existing voice replacement solutions often fail to provide natural-sounding, personalized speech. To address this challenge, Altavo is developing a voice prosthesis that combines noninvasive sensors with artificial intelligence. The technology is designed to detect silent speech movements and convert them into audible speech. The preceding SEMECO project MUSIK investigated key technological foundations, developed a clinical prototype, and provided initial evidence supporting the clinical feasibility of this approach.
From Clinical Feasibility to Product Development
Building on these results, KOMPASS focuses on the next stages of product development. The goal is to establish the technological, clinical, and economic foundations for bringing the voice replacement technology to market while reducing remaining development risks and costs. A key focus is the development of digital applications to support the voice prosthesis. This includes further developing an app for patients and a separate application for healthcare professionals, as well as establishing the necessary cloud infrastructure. At the same time, the team is optimizing product design, manufacturing costs, and production processes to prepare for future mass production. Clinical studies will support the ongoing development and evaluation of the technology. The project will also collect training data and voice recordings to further improve the AI-based methods used by the voice prosthesis.
Beyond technological and clinical development, KOMPASS addresses how the technology can ultimately become available to patients. This includes developing reimbursement and market access strategies for Germany and the United States. By combining product development, clinical evaluation, and commercial planning, the project aims to bring AI-powered voice replacement technology closer to a product that patients can use in everyday life.
Project Coordination
- Rudolf von Bünau, Ph.D. MBA | Altavo GmbH
