Gus Communication Devices (GCD) has been developing speech/AAC software solutions for people with speech and language impairments since 1992. Currently, GCD offers the internet's largest selection of speech/AAC software and devices.

1992 -   GCD releases the FIRST speech/AAC software title for Windows PCs called the "Gus! Multimedia Speech System for Windows".

1993 -   GCD unveils the FIRST vender website in the field of assistive technology, and becomes FIRST speech vender to publish product prices.

1997 -   GCD is the FIRST vendor to offer Windows based speech/AAC packages, combining speech software and mainstream laptop PC's

2001 -   GCD releases the FIRST speech/AAC software app for PocketPC's called "Communicator for Pocket PCs".

2004 -   GCD releases the FIRST alternative communication symbol library to offer customers a choice of symbol libraries and break away from the previous "single source".

2005 -   GCD releases "Overboard", communication board design/print software for Windows. Breaking the long held dominance of the previous "single source".

2008 -   GCD releases the FIRST speech/AAC app for the iPod, as well as the iPhone and Blackberry smartphones called "MobileTTS".

2010 -  TalkTablet for iPod, iPhone, iPad (Release date:  Dec 15, 2010)

Strangely enough, the history of these products began with a robot. Early in 1990, Gordon Harris developed an intelligent/interactive robot named Gus which eventually became Gus Robotics, Inc.  The Gus robot included a voice recognition system (hearing), speech synthesizer (speech) and a portable computer (brain). It attracted immediate public attention including that of Walt Disney Studios who gave it a role in the movie "Still Not Quite Human" starring Alan Thicke and Jay Underwood.

Encouraged by the popularity of the robot, Mr. Harris developed new robots and won contracts with several Fortune 500 companies, including Chrysler Corp., to use the robots at trade shows and conventions across North America.

To date, Gus robots have "spoken" with more than 20,000 people worldwide.

    

               

            The original "Gus" robot                            Model 2

                                Model 3  ("Chrysler" robots)

    "Suited" version            "Abbot Labs" version

In December of 1991, the Director of a Special Education Technology center 'met' a Gus robot and, impressed by the quality of its voice, made a request to apply the voice technology to an augmentative communication (speech output) device. Mr. Harris accepted the challenge.

The initial step involved a tour of an assistive technology center to learn more about existing speech products and their characteristics. Harris was surprised by the outdated technology they employed (as much as 10 years), the poor quality of their speech synthesizers and their extremely high cost ($7,000 to $13,000+). Furthermore, he learned that existing products used proprietary technology and were not compatible with common personal computers. In Harris's opinion, these communication products were not "state-of-the-art", they were "state-of-the-industry."

With on-going clinical input and suggestions, as well as a "wish list" from speech language pathologists, Harris and his staff proceeded to design the "next generation" communication product. The result was a software package called the “Gus Multimedia Speech System for Windows”, that was the FIRST speech software solution compatible with any Windows based personal computer.

As a result of its success, Gus software has become the most popular augmentative communication product in the world. It is used by individuals, hospitals, schools, speech clinics and rehabilitation centres in over 38 countries.  From the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City to the Handicapped Institute of Sweden.

Today, Gus Communication Devices is widely regarded as the leader in assistive technology software for the Windows and Mac platforms.

Bellingham, WA   (Home to Gus Communication Devices, Inc.)

© 2009 Gus Communication Devices, Inc. All Rights Reserve

Company History

Gordon Harris, President

Gus Communication Devices, Inc.

Innovator 2008

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Federal TaxID: 26-0442548  -   Federal Contract Numbers:  DUNS#  961758922     CAGE Code: 56UV0