How does Stephen Hawking speak?

Answer 1

The basic idea is that back in the 80s he had just enough movement ability in his hands due to his disorder called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He would use slight movements of his hands to move cursor on a screen which helps him build sentences. And you know how when you are typing a search into Google and it often assumes what you are going to type? Well, his computer does something similar but more advanced in forming sentences so that he did not have to make more slight movements with his hand than he had to. He used to use a machine called the DecTalk DTC01 voice synthesizer.

He has since upgraded to the more advanced NeoSpeech VoiceText speech synthesizer, and also unfortunately has since lost any ability to make slight movements with his hand. So the previous answer is correct in that he is only now able to move his cheek on one side of his face. His new speech synthesizer allows him to select words and form sentences on his computer screen, but he controls this one by moving his cheek and a sensored attached to his glasses detects these movements. It often takes him several minutes to form a short response when speaking to someone.

For those of us who prefer to just watch a video to have something explained to us, rather than reading my paragraph above, I found a site that provides a number of videos that explain Stephen Hawking's computer speech synthesizer, and above each video it tells you exactly where to fast forward to see the part that focuses on his computer. See the related link.

Answer 2

He is still able to move his cheek muscle. there is a sensor attached to his eyeglasses which detects light changes when he twitches his cheek. This is a binary input which works with EZKeys software, allowing him to select words, phrases, and commands via his customized computer. His speeches and TV appearances have been tediously prepared in advanvce. Simple sentences for us could take him minutes.

Answer 3

stephen hawkings cant talk because he has Motor Neurone disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Schlerosis. And because he is an absolute tank who can own anybody in a science test but nobody tests him cos hes a tank.

Answer 4

He uses a computer software that helps him speak, as he had pneumonia and had to have a surgery, so he wouldn't be able to talk again. He can say many words, but it takes him a long time to say anything, because he controls the software with his cheeks. (This is not a joke)

Answer 5

Stephen Hawking used a speech-generating device to communicate. The device was controlled by a sensor attached to his glasses, which translated his eye movements into words that could be spoken by the device.

Answer 6

he types is on a keyboard and a computer analyzes it and uses a robot voice to make it sound like hes talking. you can do it with most cell phones.

Answer 7

He uses a device built in his glasses that can detect the movement of a muscle. With that he controls a computer to speak.

Answer 8

He talks to people by using a computer that says what is typed into it

Answer 9

Dr. Hawking has used an electronic voice synthesizer since 1985 when a tracheotomy cost him the last of his verbal ability.