Professor Receives $300K Grant to Improve Voice Tech

Dr. Na Li, a professor in the computer science department at Prairie View A&M University in Texas, has received a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to fund a research project that seeks to create new algorithms and practical tools that strengthen the reliability of voice interactions in smart home environments.

Many users of smart home systems encounter barriers, from children and people who are deaf or hard of hearing to those whose speech patterns are not well understood by current systems.

The research will combine technical development with user testing to reduce recognition errors, improve accessibility, and build more precise parental control features. It seeks to make smart home technologies more dependable in daily life, ensuring that more people can take full advantage of the benefits voice-controlled devices provide.