“To know that we know what we know, and to know that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge…” (Copernicus)
Research and Studies on the LVA Technology and products
A growing number of academic papers and research are focusing on the LVA technology in the recent years, covering its unique abilities as well as limitations. For the purpose of proper disclosure, we will provide below research that supports the technology as well those with negative findings (those we believe were conducted in good faith), and our comments to the same. Please note that this page is updated regularly.
We encourage researchers from the relevant fields of science to join us in research, and seek ways in which our emotion detection voice analysis technology can further be used to advance human sciences, motivations, and for the benefit of mankind at large.
Please contact us at: bizdev@nemesysco.com
Duke University - Fuqua school of business
“Analyzing Speech to Detect Financial Misreporting” - a working paper.
Jessen L. Hobson, William J. Mayew and Mohan Venkatachalam, Fuqua School of Business, Duke University, March 3, 2011
Shinshu University - A robotic communication system
“Robotic KANSEI Communication System Based on Emotional Synchronization”, Hashimoto, Minoru (Shinshu University), Yamano, Misaki (Shinshu University), Usui, Tatsuya (Shinshu University), 2008 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, Sept, 22-26, 2008, Acropolis Convention Center, Nice, France.
Research by Shinshu University, Japan, using Nemesysco’s emotion detection technology to improve human-machine communication
Duke University - Fuqua school of business
“The Power of Voice: Managerial Affective States and Future Firm Performance”
William J. Mayew and Mohan Venkatachalam, Fuqua School of Business, Duke University, July 21, 2008
(Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1171102).
Abstract: In this study, we measure managerial affective states during earnings conference calls by analyzing conference call audio files using vocal emotion analysis software. We hypothesize and find that when managers are scrutinized by analysts during conference calls, positive and negative affect displayed by managers are informative about the firm’s financial future. In particular, we find that managers exhibiting positive (negative) affect are positively (negatively) related to contemporaneous stock returns and future unexpected earnings. However, analysts do not incorporate the information when determining short term earnings forecasts. When making stock recommendation changes, however, analysts incorporate positive affect but not negative affect suggesting that analysts may not fully incorporate information contained in negative affect. We observe market under-reaction to negative affect as if market participants follow analyst recommendation changes. Together, this study presents new evidence that managerial vocal cues contain useful information about firms’ fundamentals, incremental to both quantitative earnings information and qualitative “soft” information conveyed by the linguistic content.
Tsukuba university, Tokyo, Japan
"Reliability and Validity of Layered Voice Analysis technology in the detection of mental stress"
(7A_15_P)
Nemoto K1, Tachikawa H1, Takao T1, Sato H1, Ashizawa Y1, Endo G1, Tanaka K1, Ishii R1, Ishii N1, Hashimoto K1, Iguchi T1, Hada S2, Hori M3 and Asada T3
1Psycholosoft, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Japan; 2Alegria Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan; 3Dept. of Psychiatry, Univ. of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
"It is known that speech signal contains features which provide information about a human speaker. Although several technologies to detect stress using human voice are available, reports on the reliability and validity of these technologies are controversial. In this study, we investigated the reliability and validity of the Layered Voice Analysis (LVA) technology. Methods: One-hundred and six healthy subjects participated this study. First, stress was assessed by using Speilberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Blood pressure (BP) was also measured. Then, subjects were randomly assigned to the anagram task group and control group. Before task begins, all of the subjects were asked to answer 10 questions vocally, and they were all recorded. After answering questions, task group underwent anagram task whereas control group just read aloud series of words. After the task, STAI-S and BP were measured again. Answers to each question were analyzed using LVA and 22 parameters were computed. The internal consistency was assessed for each parameter using answers before task. Two-sample t-test was performed to see if parameters change significantly due to anagram task. Results: Of 22 parameters, Cronbach’s alpha of 18 parameters was more than 0.6. Two-sample t-test showed that 10 of 18 parameters along with STAI-S and systolic BP changed significantly during the anagram task. Conclusion: Most of the parameters LVA computed are reliable and the value of these parameters changed significantly under stressful conditions. LVA might be useful in the detection of mental stress."
>> To the poster (English)
Research results also published at "Seishin Igaku" (Psychiatry) Magazine, October 2008
ISSN: 0488-1281, ISBN: 05627
>> To the article (Japanese, summary in English)
Japan Ergonomics Society - Measuring stress on flight simulators using LVA7 technology - Japan
"Evaluation of mental stress by voice analysis during simulated landing",
J. Hada & Y. Takeuchi
The Japanese Journal of Ergonomics, vol.44, No.3, 2008.
>> To the Study (Japanese)
2006
Internal study - LVA computerized global stress readings as a function of TAS
Igor Salganik, MD. Psychiatry & Albert De Vries, Psychologist, PhD.
LVA Computerized Global Stress Readings as a Function of Task Induced Stress
2005
UNISA, South Africa - Unraveling the mind of the pedophile
“The sexual arousal factor in pedophiles” Prof Herman Conradie, Department of Criminology, University of South Africa, Codicillus, Volume 48, Issue 1, 2007
Unraveling the mind of the pedophile
Evaluation of Voice Stress Analysis Technology
By Clifford S. Hopkins, Law Enforcement Analysis Facility Lockheed Martin IT
Roy J. Ratley, Law Enforcement Analysis Facility Lockheed Martin IT
Daniel S. Benincasa, SUNYIT Utica, NY
John J. Grieco, Air Force Research Laboratory Rome, NY
"The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has been tasked by the National Institute of Justice to investigate voice stress analysis (VSA) technology and evaluate its effectiveness for both military and law enforcement applications."
2000
USA Department Of Justice - Rome Labs research on LVA technology
By US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)
"A three-year study by Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Information Directorate engineers has concluded that several features of voice stress analysis are effective for detecting when a person is answering questions under stress..."
Preliminary Results from a Comparative Analysis Conducted in a Criminal Justice Field Setting
By John Joseph Palmatier - Ph.D.
"Subjects scheduled for criminal polygraph examinations conducted by a large Midwest state police agency, for crimes ranging from larceny to murder, gave permission to record their vocal responses to questions asked about the issue at examination..."
1999
Truth verification tools, with a special study of Truster Pro (LVA technology)
“Forensic Criminology and Psychophysiology: Truth Verification tools, with a special study of Truster Pro” , Drs. Guy van Damme , Crime Research in South Africa (CRISA), Volume 2, Number 2 (April 2001)
The Truster Pro is effective to a high degree, which makes it a useful tool for qualified operators, but which also makes it dangerous for abusive persons.
The Truster Pro is a user friendly, versatile and feasible truth verification instrument.
The accuracy, established during our research, is considered high and more than satisfactory, even excellent (94% to 98%).
The Truster Pro technology reliability test - Shlomo Bruck
The Truster Pro Technology Reliability Test
Research by Shlomo Bruck, chairman of the Israeli polygraph association and owner of URAN Polygraph Ltd.