STEPHEN HAWKING TO CHANGE HIS VOICE?

STEPHEN HAWKING TO CHANGE HIS VOICE?

LONDON (Wireless Flash) – 59-year-old physicist Stephen Hawking may soon have something in common with most boys undergoing puberty: A change in voice. The Times of London is reporting the famous scientist – who speaks through a computerized voice synthesizer – may adopt a new voice thanks to software currently being developed in India. Hawking’s current voice program uses an Americanized synthetic voice – which he often jokes about disliking – but the new system would use his native British accent. However, the man who developed Hawking’s present voice program is doubtful the scientist will change his voice so easily. Walt Woltosz of the California-based Simulations Plus says Hawking has been offered numerous new systems over the years, but, so far, he has refused to make any changes. Woltosz says the current system is second nature to Hawking, and he’d be surprised if he were to switch to an entirely different program.

Tue 04-17-01