Air Force working on "voice transformation" to fool the bad guys

You think we have identity theft problems now? Wait until the Air Force develops its "voice transformation algorithms" so that it can convert any airman's (or woman's) voice into a "target voice." That means instead of having a pilot speak directly to enemies, software would be able to convert his/her voice into someone else's, ideally a person that the target recognizes as a friendly -- allowing the crafty airman to trick enemies with false intel. What about applications for us civvies? The Air Force acknowledges that there could be some "Phase III Dual Use Applications" which include restoring a voice to those who have a damaged voice box, or for creating voices in video games or for animated films. So once this gets going and we're ready to do "Engadget: The Animated Series," it'll be much cheaper to imitate our voices with no-name actors.


[Via DefenseTech]

[Intrepid @ Nov 14th 2006 8:40AM]

"To fool the bad guys?"

...maybe the bad guys will get hold of this tech and use it againt us? oh no.

[Mrfreezie @ Nov 14th 2006 10:11AM]

To use in video games? But I though only terrorists play video games. Ya know, for practice and stuff.

[Eric @ Nov 14th 2006 10:27AM]

Cyrus,

While your effort to be politically correct is commendable, the term Airman encompasses both genders.

-Eric (USAF TSgt, 9 yrs service)

[Cyrus Farivar @ Nov 14th 2006 1:16PM]

Thanks! I'll remember that for the future.

[010111 @ Nov 14th 2006 10:29AM]

here is the current prototype :

http://www.teachingplanet.com/muvochbyda.html

this variation also provides for clever facial disguising as well :

http://www.hamleys.com/invt/0000000507384

[matthew @ Nov 14th 2006 11:48AM]

We should settle international disagreements over a game of Pong. It would save taxpayers a shi*ton of money.

[Russ @ Nov 14th 2006 9:48PM]

maybe it could be used to convert and Indian call centre worker's accent to correct accent for the customer they are dealing with?

[andrew k. @ Nov 14th 2006 10:41PM]

First flyboy (or girl) to use this system to say "all your base are belong to us" wins...