ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the advantages and challenges of using multimodal and voice technologies for field data collection on the construction site. It describes developments in the multimodal, mobile, field data communications and explains Multimodal and Voice eXtensible Markup Language (XML) technology for speech-enabled information retrieval and input using speech over the phone. The work on the development of the proof-of concept multimodal field data entry application application for concrete quality control data collection is conducted in collaboration with the New Brunswick Department of Transportation concrete quality control engineers and the University of New Brunswick. VoiceXML technology follows the same model as the HTML and Web browser technologies. The advantage of using the VoiceXML language to build voice-enabled services is that companies can build automated voice services using the same technology they use to create visual Web sites, significantly reducing the cost of construction of corporate voice portals.
