Source: Moscow Metro
Time for new technologies! Testing neural voice in audio messages in the Moscow metro.
We are gradually introducing artificial intelligence into the capital’s transport system. For example, since the beginning of the year, a neural network has been helping Alexandera’s chatbot answer your questions. Now, as part of a pilot project, AI will assist announcers in the Moscow metro.
As Maksim Liksutov explained, audio announcements are one of the most important ways to communicate with passengers. Sometimes something changes in metro operations: an escalator is closed for repair or trains follow a different route. Each situation requires a prompt announcement. Neural voice will help solve this task in minutes.
Moreover, the required audio file can be created remotely. Specialists only need to:
Prepare the text.
Upload it to the program.
Adjust the voice — choose the timbre, intonation, and pause length. By the way, AI was trained on real recordings of metro announcers.
We will test neural voice on the Line 1, which has many transfers to the MCC, MCD, other metro lines, car and railway stations. Also, Komsomolskaya station is located here — the leader in the number of transport infrastructure objects announced by announcers.
«Voices in neural processing allow creating prompt audio announcements in the unified style of Moscow Transport. After the pilot launch of the technology on the Line 1, we will decide on its further use in the metro and beyond. We will also consider passengers’ wishes. We continue to implement the most modern digital services, as instructed by Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin», — said Maksim Liksutov.