Vocollect adds to voice-driven warehouse application line

New wearable voice computer and client software

Vocollect offers a solution for warehouse and other distribution workers that lets them operate hands- and eyes-free using a wearable device with embedded speech recognition (using Vocollect-developed speech technology). With sales of $80 million in 2004, Vocollect has proven that there are substantial opportunities to use speech recognition in well-chosen vertical markets (TSN, March 2005, p. 2).

In May, Vocollect announced the release of two new additions to their product portfolio—the Talkman T2x wearable voice computer, and Vocollect Voice client software. Also in May, Swisslog, which provides supply chain technology solutions, and Vocollect announced a global reseller agreement.

New products

The new Talkman T2x features the 416 MHz PXA270 XScale processor from Intel. The new chip gives the T2x twice the processing speed of its predecessor, expanded memory, and voice-application performance advantages. Talkman T2x uses Microsoft’s Windows CE operating system and Intel’s SpeedStep power management technology, providing battery life of more than 12 hours. The T2x is compatible with all existing Talkman accessories and can be deployed as part of older Vocollect implementations that use previous Talkman models.

Vocollect Voice Client makes it possible for voice-capable handheld devices to run Vocollect’s industrial voice recognition technology along with non-voice applications on those devices. Larry Sweeney, vice president of product management and Vocollect co-founder, explained, “The same extensive set of warehouse applications that run today on Vocollect’s Talkman family of wearable computers can now be added to other selected handheld devices. Our clients have asked us for the ability to apply voice in these part-time applications on devices that best suit their business needs, and we have delivered.” The initial release of Vocollect Voice Client supports products from Symbol Technologies and LXE, Inc. Support for additional voice-capable devices is slated for release in the coming months.

Swisslog reseller agreement

Under the announced agreement, Swisslog will resell Vocollect’s Voice-Directed Distribution integrated with its warehouse management (WMS) product WarehouseManager. The combination will address the needs of Swisslog customers in key markets including retail, consumer goods, pharmaceutical/healthcare, food, and beverage. The integration with Vocollect’s Voice-Directed Distribution, in use in multiple accounts today, allows Swisslog customers to leverage voice-enabled logistics as part of the overall Swisslog solution. The integrated solution supports Swisslog’s customers in automated, semi-automated, and manual warehouse, distribution, and manufacturing environments.

“The implementation of the Vocollect-Swisslog system has improved our current operators pick rate by up to 40 percent,” commented Simon Hayward, warehouse management systems and project manager at Pets at Home, a UK-based retailer. “The use of the Swisslog voice system has reduced our picking errors due to the fact that the voice system tells the operator the pack size which they are required to pick. The new voice system gives Pets at Home the opportunity to provide the operators with more information than was on offer by the previous handheld system.”