Baidu Files Patent for AI That Translates Animal Sounds into Human Language

Baidu has filed a patent for artificial intelligence technology that aims to translate animal sounds into human language, according to a recent publication by the China National Intellectual Property Administration.

The Chinese tech giant submitted the application in December, but it was only made public on Tuesday. The proposed system collects data from animals, including voice, body language, behavioural changes and other biological signs, to determine their emotions and convert them into human language.

The technology integrates several AI subfields, such as machine learning, deep learning and natural language processing. Machine learning allows the system to learn from large datasets, while deep learning uses neural networks to analyse voice and movement. Natural language processing helps convert the analysed data into human speech.

If the system encounters a voice that does not match any existing emotional records, Baidu’s team would manually label the data, update the sample and adjust the model parameters.

The patent application’s publication does not guarantee approval. According to You Yunting, senior partner at Shanghai Debund Law Firm, the review process could take one to five years, depending on complexity.

Baidu has not disclosed whether it plans to release a consumer-facing product based on the technology.

Efforts to translate animal sounds are not new. In 2001, Japanese toymaker Takara launched Bowlingual, a handheld device that translated dog barks. It was later followed by Meowlingual for cats.

In 2014, a Scandinavian research lab raised more than USD 22,000 on Indiegogo for a device called No More Woof, but the project was discontinued due to high costs.

Currently, dozens of apps in mainland China claim to translate animal sounds, including those of dogs, cats and parrots.

Baidu stated in its application that existing animal language translators rely too heavily on single data sources, such as voiceprints or facial expressions, which limits their accuracy in interpreting emotions.

The company also had other patent applications published on Tuesday, including one for recommending live-streamed shopping sessions based on user engagement, and another for an autonomous-driving algorithm that navigates electric vehicles to nearby battery-swapping stations.

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• Baidu filed a patent for AI that translates animal sounds into human language

• The system analyses voice, body language and biological signs to detect emotions

• The patent process could take one to five years for approval

Source: SCMP