A new washable device worn around the neck is helping stroke patients regain their voice, according to researchers at the University of Cambridge. The technology, named Revoice, combines sensors and artificial intelligence to decode speech signals and emotional cues, enabling patients to communicate naturally without the need for invasive brain implants.
Revoice is worn as a soft, flexible choker that picks up heart rate and tiny vibrations from throat muscles. These signals are rapidly translated into words, and the AI can predict the intended sentence, delivering it via a synthesizer. The device also interprets emotional state and contextual information such as time of day or weather conditions.
In a small trial involving five patients with dysarthria—a speech difficulty often resulting from stroke—the device achieved a word error rate of just 4.2% and a sentence error rate of 2.9%. Participants reported a 55% increase in satisfaction. The research, published in Nature Communications, was supported by the British Council and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.
Professor Luigi Occhipinti, who led the research, said the device helps both patients and therapists establish more effective therapy. “This is about giving people their independence back. Communication is fundamental to dignity and recovery,” he said. The device can also be controlled by nodding twice to expand words into sentences.
Juliet Bouverie, chief executive of the Stroke Association, welcomed the early-stage research but noted that it has only been tested with a small number of people, so findings should be seen as preliminary. She emphasised that specialist stroke rehabilitation remains essential, but innovations like Revoice may complement existing support.
