Speech to Text Technology Could Help Communication Whilst Wearing a Face Mask

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25 September 2020 | Updated 15 October 2020

To help overcome communication issues caused by wearing face masks, Corps Security has begun a pilot scheme which equips security officers with speech to text and translation tools.

40 Corps Security officers across retail sites in Birmingham, Cheltenham and Exeter have access to transcription functionality (audio to text), written text translating capability and verbal conversation translation between two different languages. All services are delivered via mobile application and operate offline eliminating the need for internet connectivity.

Corps has implemented the transcription service to support communication difficulties posed by wearing a face mask. Individuals with hearing impairments can struggle to understand a security officer wearing a face mask as facial expressions and lip-reading are severely hindered. 

This technology integration ensures security officers can effectively deliver critical safety information about COVID-19 and associated social distancing measures, and ensure the information is fully understood. 

It also ensures staff, clients and members of the public have a tool to help them raise any concerns and ask questions when a face mask can potentially hinder their own verbal communication.

“This technology integration could be a key differentiator in ensuring COVID-secure safety information is understood and adhered to."

–Neil Shanks

National Account Manager, Corps Security

How Does the Technology Work?

When language barriers arise, the verbal conversation translation function offers an automatic translation of two-way dialogue as each person speaks, so there’s no need to take turns operating a translation tool. 

The written text translation service offers an alternative stream of communication. The intention is to help a security officer understand what a person is trying to communicate, and helps that person feel assured that what they are communicating has been understood accurately.

Ensuring COVID Safety Information is Understood

This new speech to text and translation technology pilot scheme is led by Neil Shanks, National Account Manager, Corps Security. Commenting on the benefits of the scheme, Shanks said: “Language barriers present security officers with challenges and now we also have the added barrier of face masks which hinder communication.

“This technology integration could be a key differentiator in ensuring COVID-secure safety information is understood and adhered to, and in determining positive outcomes of stressful situations such as a missing child or preventing a suicide attempt.”

Mike Bullock, CEO, Corps Security said: “Integrating this transcription and translation functionality means our officers are in a stronger position to support our customers and members of the public, and it helps us improve the quality of our service

“We can ensure important safety information is conveyed at a time where communicating health and safety measures is absolutely paramount.”

Picture: a photograph of a person in an airport wearing a facial covering

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 25 September 2020

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