The Sensory,Inc chip that incorporates the HLT     research group's algorithm.

A machine-learning algorithm developed by the digital@SERA Human Language Technologies (HLT) research group - an IT research platform across the CSIR's Meraka Institute and its Defence, Peace, Safety & Security business unit, and the University of Pretoria's Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Information Technology - has been selected for use by a leading international integrated circuit ("chip") manufacturer.

The Default & Refine Algorithm was developed by the HLT group co-leaders, Dr Marelie Davel and Professor Etienne Barnard, and is a rule-based algorithm that can be used to predict data characteristics once trained on a data set. Although the algorithm can be applied to different tasks, it has been proven to be highly efficient for pronunciation prediction (predicting how a word will be pronounced based on the way it is written). The algorithm is not language-specific and can be used for any language with a fairly regular spelling system.

The algorithm is fast to execute and efficient to code. For pronunciation prediction it currently provides world-best results when balancing predictive accuracy with rule set size. (A very small rule set provides high predictive accuracy.) This made the algorithm attractive for the USA-based Sensory,Inc, a world leader in embedded speech technologies. Sensory,Inc obtained the algorithm through the HLT research group's research network and incorporated it in its line of chips. These chips are used in various consumer electronic products, from toys to telephones and learning aids. Approximately twenty million chips are manufactured per year.

Prof Barnard is an extraordinary professor in UP's Department of Computer Science and a research scientist at Meraka, while Dr Davel is a research scientist at the Meraka Institute. According to Davel, this development is one of many examples of the way in which the collaborative effort has been very beneficial. "Apart from increasing critical mass by joining efforts, the various Meraka projects provide an environment that can absorb research outputs quickly and in innovative ways."

"We have always tried to maintain a dual focus in the work we do: a commitment to good science and high quality research, but also - and in a sense more importantly - to contribute to making a difference in society", says Barnard.

Further collaboration between Meraka and Sensory,Inc, including the potential use of the chips in southern Africa, is currently being discussed.

Source: CSIR

For more information on the HLT research group, contact Dr Marelie Davel on
+27 12 841 2466