Computers are now better at lip reading than humans, according to a new study out of the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. A machine-based lip reading system significantly outperformed more than a dozen human lip readers during tests. The recognition rate was only 32% for the human lip readers. But the computers figured out what was being said about 80% of the time. Unlike the people involved in the test, the machines didn't need to see the full face of the speaker in order to do well. Scientists say the information they've gathered suggests there may be some novel ways to quickly improve lip reading. Researchers will present details of the study at the 8th International Conference on Auditory-Visual Speech Processing that starts today at the University of East Anglia.
