Freedom of Information request - Piccadilly Line new trains automated announcements.
Request ID: FOI-2367-2324 Date published: 23 November 2023
You asked
Dear Transport for London,
I would like to make a Freedom Of Information Act 2000 request to ask for some information in regards to your reply to this persons request (FOI-2033-2324/GH) here:
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/announcements_on_new_piccadilly#incoming-2434094
You have stated in that reply as follows:
"Digital voice announcements on the new ‘24 Tube Stock’ fleet for the Piccadilly line will use an artificial/synthetic voice called ‘Elloise’, we will not be using any existing announcements from Julie Berry or Adrian Hieatt."
So i just have a few questions to ask please:
Firstly i would like to request the name of the company that provides this "Elloise" synthetic voice. If you have the details of the company or even a link to their website too that would be great. I am trying to find out more about this "Elloise" synthetic voice but there are a lot of Text To Speech companies and i am struggling to find out which company this is.
Secondly i would like to ask are there any announcement sound files of this synthetic voice. If so could you attach them. Or is the voice generated automatically on the computer so no sound files exist. I suspect as it is a synthetic voice that sound files may not exist ever exist as a computer will just generate the announcement. But i just wanted to check as i am not entirely sure.
Thirdly do you have any samples of this voice that you could attach. Even if no sound files are held i presume that you would at least have some samples that you would have obtained when choosing the voice. If so could you attach these please.
Lastly what company is providing the CIS system on the new trains. Note this question is different to my first question. My first question is regarding the company providing the synthetic voice but this question is about the company providing the CIS system. So the system that operates the announcements and screens and displays on the trains.
Thank you for any information and details that you can provide regarding this and i look forward to hearing back.
We answered
Our ref: FOI-2367-2324/GH
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 2 October 2023 asking for further information about Piccadilly Line new trains automated announcements.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.
Firstly i would like to request the name of the company that provides this "Elloise" synthetic voice. If you have the details of the company or even a link to their website too that would be great. I am trying to find out more about this "Elloise" synthetic voice but there are a lot of Text To Speech companies and i am struggling to find out which company this is.
Acapela Group Babel Technologies S.A.
Secondly i would like to ask are there any announcement sound files of this synthetic voice. If so could you attach them. Or is the voice generated automatically on the computer so no sound files exist. I suspect as it is a synthetic voice that sound files may not exist ever exist as a computer will just generate the announcement. But i just wanted to check as i am not entirely sure.
We have the ability to download sound files of the demo version of the voice which we are currently testing. However, we are not obliged to supply these audio files as the information is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2). In this instance section 43(2) has been applied as disclosure of the information requested would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of TfL, Acapela Group, Siemens and/or Annax GmbH. The contract for these announcements is between Acapela and Siemens, with the voice being provided to TfL with conditions concerning their use and distribution.
Thirdly do you have any samples of this voice that you could attach. Even if no sound files are held i presume that you would at least have some samples that you would have obtained when choosing the voice. If so could you attach these please.
We do have samples obtained when choosing the voice. As stated above, we are not obliged to supply these audio files as the information is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2). In this instance section 43(2) has been applied as disclosure of the information requested would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of TfL, Acapela Group and/or Siemens. The samples in question are the property of Acapela Group and were provided to TfL under a signed contract which contains explicit conditions concerning its use and distribution.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, but in this instance the public interest in ensuring that we adhere to the terms of the contract with Acapela Group/Siemens outweighs the general public interest in increasing transparency of our processes.
Lastly what company is providing the CIS system on the new trains. Note this question is different to my first question. My first question is regarding the company providing the synthetic voice but this question is about the company providing the CIS system. So the system that operates the announcements and screens and displays on the trains.
Annax GmbH, part of Wabtec Corporation
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Graham Hurt FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
