A new voice banking service designed by Dell, Intel and Rolls Royce in collaboration with the Motor Neurone Disease Association in the UK, will be available in Ireland soon.
The technology which is called ‘I will always be me’ is being offered through Speak Unique technology which allows people to communicate in their own voice when their natural speech is not possible.
It builds on previous voice banking technology as it features an e-book that describes what a diagnosis of MND might entail for someone.
By reading the story aloud, the user can bank their voice in less than half an hour using a device such as a laptop.
The Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association said this is the first time this new voice banking method is being introduced in Ireland and will be available through the charity for people living with Motor Neurone Disease.
‘What Charlie Bird and his wife Claire achieved was nothing short of remarkable’
Ahead of its annual conference in Athlone later today, the Association said it raised €2.8 million in fundraising in 2022, up 11% on the previous year, with the ‘Climb with Charlie’ event accounting for a further €1.7m.
The Association will highlight the impact of these funds at the conference later today.
They include the recruitment of an additional specialist MND nurse to support people living with MND in their own homes, as well as improvements in practical supports.
“What Charlie Bird and his wife Claire achieved was nothing short of remarkable and we’re happy to announce the completion of a number of projects in the last ten months as a result of the funds raised,” said Lillian McGovern, CEO of IMNDA Ireland.
We have expanded our nursing team so that people living with MND in any region in Ireland has a specialist nurse nearby; we supported a European research programme looking at targeted therapies for those with MND; we introduced practical supports for transport, family breaks and respite care and we are about to launch a new voice banking service called ‘I will always be me,’ which is just an incredible use of technology,” said Ms Govern.
More than 450 people in Ireland are currently living with Motor Neurone Disease.
