Show HN: Subvocal – Talk to your computer without making noise (subvocal.company)

Article summary

The article discusses a technology that allows users to communicate with their computer without making noise, using subvocalizations. The technology uses a pair of glasses with sensors to detect the user's silent speech. The details of how it works are not fully explained in the article, but the comments provide more information. The technology aims to enable users to input text at the speed of speech, silently and invisibly.

Main themes

• subvocalization technology
• silent speech input
• wearable devices
• ergonomic issues
• typing speed
• lip reading

What commenters say

• Some users find the idea of talking to a computer without making noise to be awkward and unpleasant, especially in public settings. The technology's use of glasses with sensors is seen as a potential drawback by some, who prefer alternative form factors such as earbuds or a throat mic. Lip reading is considered a promising modality, but it has limitations due to the limited number of visemes, or visually distinguishable phonetic states. The technology's potential to address ergonomic issues such as repetitive stress injury caused by typing is seen as a significant benefit by some. Others argue that typing speed is not a significant issue and that humans can train themselves to type quickly on a keyboard. Some commenters suggest that a more discreet form factor, such as an in-ear device or a baseball cap, would be more appealing. The use of mmWave radar as an alternative to the current technology is discussed, but it is found to have its own limitations, such as low penetration in tissue.