NASA will soon be installing a new voice-activated computer system on the International Space Station that bears a striking resemblance to Star Trek’s computer system. Called Clarissa, the system will initially be able to support about 75 individual commands, which can be accessed using a vocabulary of some 260 words.
“”Computer… Computer… (McCoy hands Scotty the mouse) Aye. Hello computer.” — Scotty, “Just use the keyboard.” — G’vnr Nichols, “Keyboard. How quaint.” — Scotty, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home”
LOL, I remember that
So do I
Awesome!!!
… are buried in that nonsense somewhere.
The real press release: http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=17235
The NASA Clarisaa website: http://tc.arc.nasa.gov/projects/clarissa/
Majel Barret is doing the voice!!!!!
When will people realize the talking computers of star trek were a plot device. Did you really want to watch Spock type his questions and read the screen aloud?
What? Why can they not be a plot device, while still being something nifty to watch? What do people have to get over? WHY CAN YOU MAKE NO SENSE?
Galaxy Quest had that … but it was with Sigourney Weaver, so it was worth it.
That said, for deaf people, this might be a great innovation.
(*ahem* I mean blind people, you know that.)
I love using a keyboard, I wouldn’t give it up for some speech recognition software if you offered me all the money in the world. I like to write C++ programs during my free time and it most certainly wouldn’t be the same if I had to speak them to my computer rather than type them. I love having a keybord and monitor in front of me, if I were talking to my computer all the time and just listening to its replies, I might as well talk to a real person instead.
Don’t get me wrong, there are some useful applications for this. I would imaging a voice controlled computer would be handy if you need it to perform functions while you have your hands busy; however, despite not even being middle aged yet, I am a very nostalgic person and love to let go of my mouse for a while and return to just using a command line and keyboard. I don’t expect everyone to appreciate that, I just thought I would share in the hopes that some people will.
I can’t let you do that Dave.
In space, no less…
>I can’t let you do that Dave.
I was gonna say that… Bummer.
I’d like a voice controlled system in my house. Me: “Computer – make Jack & Coke, ice, no Coke” Computer: “Yes master. Triple?” I’d like that.
this is the stuff us geeks need:)
Dave….uhmmm……:)
Very true and I couldnt agree more,
But star trek did have keypads and consoles, so they werent entirely defunct, just as they arent with nasa project.
Useful in certain area’s but as you said it can replace the keyboard.
Will
Given the past successes and failures of speech recognition systems I really hope they use it only for non-critical tasks like “computer, I need coffee!”
<scary>”computer, don’t decompress, I repeat, don’t decompress, my suit is leaky!!!”…pffft…</scary>
Nifty.
Tea, Earl Grey, hot!
How do you say ctrl+alt+canc?
Just joking, but it is a good new. Not for NASA, but because, all those tecnologies one day or the other finishes on the real world market ( I’m a potter and use the fiber they used for insulation in the shuttle for my kiln), I see the possibilities for differently able people or blinds just for instance.
Hope it works out.
Not only do you not need a keyboard, you don’t need a screen either. At last I can use my computer while standing up.
NASA will soon be installing a new voice-activated computer system on the International Space Station that bears a striking resemblance to Star Trek’s computer system. Called Clarissa, the system will initially be able to support about 75 individual commands, which can be accessed using a vocabulary of some 260 words.
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Given the problems already existing with the space station,
this is the *LAST* thing it needs.
Why in hell would anything think emulating *ANYTHING* shown in Star Drek is a *GOOD* idea?
At least HAL would be quick in putting you out of his misery…
Me: Computer.
Response: Hello this is your friendly ship computer, how can I be of service?
Response: Tea, Earl grey, hot
Me: Computer, follow link, read the article.
Response: I am sorry Dave, I can not do that. I am currently preoccupied by composing ingredients to tea. Sorry. Have a nice day.
Computer: How would it be listening to some space poetry.
Me: NO!!!
Computer: Perhaps something of the delightful art of Vogon poetry?
Me: AAAARGGGHHHH!!!!
I hope it doesnt get depressed like the computer robot off of “hitchers guide to the galaxy”. Thats all we need is a suicidal space station
“Open the pod door Hal.”
“Open the pod door Hal.”
Oh-No! a Blue screen!
No one said it was gonna replace typing or using a monitor.
Voice controls were never meant (nor ever will) replace traditional/manual input/output devices.
This doesn’t make them useless. A great example are newer voice systems in cars. I can adjust climate,audio,nav systems without taking my eyes off the road or my hands off the wheel. Of course, if I wanna do it faster when Im at a red light, I can still do that stuff manually.
No one said it was gonna replace typing or using a monitor.
Voice controls were never meant (nor ever will) replace traditional/manual input/output devices.
This doesn’t make them useless. A great example are newer voice systems in cars. I can adjust climate,audio,nav systems without taking my eyes off the road or my hands off the wheel. Of course, if I wanna do it faster when Im at a red light, I can still do that stuff manually
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Oh. So that was *YOUR* SUV I saw flipped over on it’s roof alongside the road today……
I hope it doesnt get depressed like the computer robot off of “hitchers guide to the galaxy”. Thats all we need is a suicidal space station
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As opposed to a homocidal one?
good one…ummm terminators skynet eh hehehe…mixed with some maxium over drive and viola we have the most peace full world. And yes i won’t make any more movie refrences
Nifty.
Tea, Earl Grey, hot!
I’ve never understood why Picard had to ask for hot tea, surely that should be the default.
“Called Clarissa, the system will initially be able to support about 75 individual commands, which can be accessed using a vocabulary of some 260 words.”
I wonder if they brainstormed the name from the TV series “Clarissa Explains It All” http://imdb.com/title/tt0101065/ considering the name and purpose?
a classic one!
computer: “Stasis interrupted. Fire in cryogenic compartment. Repeat, fire in cryogenic compartment. All personnel report to emergency escape vehicle launch pod. Deep-space flight will commence in T-minus twenty seconds.”
now press ALT+CTRL+DEL
Why are they so hell-bent on not having to say “Computer” before commands? What’s wrong with that? If it were a real crew member, you’d have to say his/her name before you gave a command; why should it be different for a computer? They’re wasting time on a pipe dream of distinguishing between commands and “side conversations” 100% of the time, and it’s just not going to happen. They’re just making more room for error.
Imagine this situation: Two crew members are in a room. They’re talking about tomorrow’s plans. One of them says, “Okay, number ten. Open the pod bay doors” and they get sucked out into space.
This is one the stupidest wastes of taxpayers’ dollars I have ever seen.