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The Speech and Language AI Lab focuses on cutting-edge research in speech recognition, natural language processing and machine learning to enhance human-computer interaction and communication technologies. Our collaboration brings together expertise in signal processing, machine learning, applied linguistics and audio engineering.

Objectives

To push the boundaries of speech and language technologies and to apply these advancements in the aviation and aerospace industries.

Collaborations

• The Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety (BCAAS)
• Embry-Riddle’s Flight Training Department (Daytona Beach Campus)
• The Center for Aviation and Space Data Analytics (ASDA)

Equipment and Tools

• High-Performance Machine Learning Workstations: Used for training large-scale AI models.
• Speech Recognition Toolsets: Advanced tools for analyzing and processing speech data and performing Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR).
• Natural Language Processing Toolsets: Advanced tools for NLP research and development.

Current Projects

Robust Automatic Speech Recognition for Aviation Applications

• Summary: Developing robust ASR systems tailored for the aviation industry to improve safety and efficiency in high noise environments.
• Goals and Objectives: Enhance communication clarity and reduce miscommunication in radiotelephony.

Automatic Speech Recognition for Flight Safety

• Summary: Creation of open-source database of ATC-Pilot radio communications.
• Goals and Objectives: This dataset contains multi-layer ASR/NLP labels and can be used for training ASR engines and developing NLP tools for processing and understanding ATC communications.

Team Members

• Dr. Jianhua Liu: Dr. Liu holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. He has extensive experience in system design, as well as hardware and software integration. His expertise and research interests fall in the areas of signal processing, machine learning, automatic speech recognition and language processing. He has been working on various aviation-related projects for more than 10 years, including remote airfield lighting systems (funded by the FAA) and hybrid power-train systems (funded by Boeing). He has keen interests in research and development for aviation and aerospace applications.


• Andrew Schneider: An applied linguist specializing in spoken language, language policy and second language acquisition. He has extensive experience building language databases, which most recently include the 55+ hour Corpus of Flight Training. He has consulted as a language expert with ICAO, FAA, U.S. military and various aviation-related private companies. His expertise in standard phraseology training can currently be seen in the Embry-Riddle virtual reality standard phraseology program, which leverages ASR technology. He is also a 3rd generation pilot.

Join Us

• Contact us to learn about open graduate and undergraduate student research positions.
• Benefits of joining us:
• Accumulating research and development experience.
• Building strong skills in various aspects.
• Employers of Previous Student Researchers:
• Garmin
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory