Corps Security is trialling its officers working with speech to text and translation tools. The guard firm is looking to overcome the communication difficulties caused by wearing of face masks.
Some 40 Corps 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.
As The Corps says, people 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 is for officers to deliver critical safety information about Covid-19 and associated social distancing measures, and ensure the information is fully understood. It also means staff and customers have a tool to help them raise any concerns and ask questions when a face mask can hinder their own speech.
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.
This speech to text and translation technology trial is led by Neil Shanks, National Account Manager at Corps Security. He 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.”
Visit https://www.corpssecurity.co.uk/.
