TL;DR:
- Roblox acquires Speechly, a Finnish voice tech startup.
- Speechly specializes in real-time voice moderation and transcription.
- Roblox aims to enhance user engagement and safety through voice technology.
- Speechly’s AI moderation tools will enable Roblox to manage real-time voice communication effectively.
- The acquisition aligns with Roblox’s strategy to cater to older users aged 17 and above.
- Speechly has raised $7.53 million in external funding and holds SOC 2 Type II certification.
- The acquisition positions Roblox as a leader in 3D immersive communication.
Main AI News:
In a strategic move to bolster its commitment to safety and enhance user engagement, Roblox, the prominent gaming platform, has acquired Speechly, a leading voice technology startup based in Helsinki, Finland. Speechly, founded in 2016, specializes in real-time voice moderation, transcription services, and Voice API solutions, empowering companies to seamlessly integrate AI voice technology and voice interfaces into their products and experiences.
Speechly’s innovative journey began with a mission to revolutionize computer voice interactions and online communication, particularly aiming to mitigate toxic behavior within gaming communities. Their real-time voice moderation technology has played a crucial role in achieving this objective. According to their own research, nearly 70% of gamers have engaged in voice chat, with a staggering 72% encountering toxic incidents during their online interactions.
Roblox, on the other hand, embarked on its voice chat journey two years ago, enabling developers to incorporate voice communication into their games and virtual experiences. This departure from traditional text-based communication, represented by speech bubbles over avatars’ heads, allowed players to engage in natural, real-time conversations. More recently, Roblox unveiled avatar-based voice calls featuring facial motion tracking, enabling users to connect in virtual spaces and engage in live conversations. These advancements are part of Roblox’s broader initiative to cater to an older user base, expanding its offerings to include content and experiences suitable for users aged 17 and above.
The acquisition of Speechly positions Roblox to further elevate its voice-based interactions by leveraging AI moderation tools for real-time voice communication. Hannes Heikinheimo, co-founder and CTO of Speechly, articulated the significance of this partnership in a recent blog post, stating, “Roblox is building the leading platform for 3D immersive communication and connection. Every day 65.5 million daily active users of all ages come to Roblox to be together, experience, and create memories with friends. With the addition of new voice features, including voice chat, Roblox is solving new challenges—moderating spoken language in real time.”
He further emphasized the paramount importance of safety and civility in Roblox’s ethos and expressed excitement about contributing AI expertise to modernize moderation methods, catering to the dynamic requirements of a user-generated content (UGC) platform.
Speechly, backed by Y Combinator and a roster of distinguished investors, including Seedcamp, SNÖ Ventures, TQ Ventures, and Cherry Ventures, had previously raised $7.53 million in external funding, according to Pitchbook. The company’s commitment to data security and privacy was affirmed with SOC 2 Type II certification, a factor that likely enhanced its appeal as an acquisition target.
Voicebot.ai, which first reported the news, noted that Speechly’s capabilities surpass some of its competitors, such as Modulate’s ToxMode and Spectrum Labs, further underscoring the strategic significance of this acquisition in Roblox’s quest to revolutionize the gaming experience.
Conclusion:
Roblox’s acquisition of Speechly marks a significant step in the gaming industry, emphasizing the growing importance of real-time voice communication and moderation. By integrating Speechly’s technology, Roblox aims to create a safer and more engaging environment for its users, particularly as it expands its offerings to cater to an older demographic. This strategic move underscores the increasing demand for innovative voice solutions in the market, driving the evolution of online gaming and communication platforms.
