Voicekey is a recent spin out company, founded to commercialise research from Nottingham Trent University's Computer Science department. The company specialise in the design, test & delivery of a range of standard and bespoke speech-enabled identity management solutions. Voicekey's patented voice biometric encoding technology allows users to carry a cryptographically signed version of their voice biometric around with them without fear of loss, cloning or counterfeiting.
Voicekey commissioned Softwire to build the core voice verification library of their eponymous product. The voice verification library creates and securely verifies user voice biometrics. In addition Softwire developed a proof of concept application using the library to provide voice verification for Windows PCs.
Softwire's brief was to take the verification algorithm developed at the university, refine it to improve the accuracy and performance in real world scenarios and demonstrate its suitability as part of a viable product. This involved a great deal of research and experimentation and is exactly the sort of intellectual problem which Softwire employees love (and excel at solving).
In addition to the theoretical challenges, the project also involved using a number of complex technologies including: neural networks; signal processing and analysis; cryptography and low level Windows security APIs. Softwire were able to call on our wide range of technical knowledge and skills and our existing experience in the security sector to overcome the technical hurdles and deliver a robust solution.
Softwire delivered a verification library implemented in C++ (with a C API), a GUI enrolment application and a plug-in to add voice verification to the Windows login process.
Voicekey are now undertaking a field trial of the core library, in preparation for building a product range of voice verification solutions providing government agencies, corporate and small-to-medium enterprises with the capability to secure their physical and IT infrastructure against the twin threats of identity theft and identity fraud.
Customer testimonial
“Softwire were commissioned by Voicekey to convert a patented research prototype into a commercial level product. This they did with courtesy, diligence and a high degree of professionalism.”
Dr. Tony Allen, Director, Centre for Innovation & Technology Exploitation, Nottingham Trent University
