Respeecher
Respeecher emerged in February 2018 as a Ukrainian software company dedicated to speech synthesis. The founders built their initial infrastructure using artificial intelligence to allow one person to speak in the voice of another specific individual. A year after its establishment, the startup completed the Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs Accelerator program powered by Techstars. This accelerator provided crucial early-stage support for their developing technology. In early March 2020, Respeecher secured $1.5 million in startup funding from investors. Since that founding moment in 2018, the organization has raised over $3 million in total investments. Most team members remained located within Ukraine throughout this period of rapid expansion.
In December 2020, Disney streaming series The Mandalorian credited Respeecher for synthesizing the voice of young Luke Skywalker. The production used the technology to recreate the character without requiring the original actor to return. By the 27th of June 2022, the company created an AI voice for Darth Vader based on James Earl Jones archive recordings from earlier Star Wars projects. Jones signed a deal with Lucasfilm authorizing his voice usage before retiring later that year. In February 2022, Respeecher appeared again in Chapter 6 of The Book of Boba Fett providing synthetic voices for Luke Skywalker. Their work extended to television shows like Goliath where they voiced Wilt Chamberlain in 2023. The team also contributed to films such as Alien: Romulus and Emilia Pérez released in 2024.
November 2022 marked the first time a synthetic speech artist received credit in Sony's video game God of War Ragnarök. CD Projekt announced in October 2023 that they utilized Respeecher to synthesize the voice of Miłogost Reczek for Cyberpunk 2077 expansion Phantom Liberty. Reczek had died in 2021 so the Polish language release required this specific audio solution. Permission was obtained directly from Reczek's family before production began. The technology enabled multilingual singing voice cloning for Aloe Blacc's tribute to Avicii in March 2022. This approach allowed artists to perform tracks in multiple languages using synthesized vocal styles. Lost in Space - The Adventure Game also featured Will Robinson voiced through their system during development phases.
February 2023 saw Respeecher join OpenAI and TikTok among ten initial companies pledging commitment to Partnership on AI community framework. This framework guides ethical and responsible creation of synthetic media and artificial intelligence technology. In 2024, the company endorsed NO FAKES Act protecting individual voices from unauthorized recreations. A statement released by representatives declared legislative measures vital for safeguarding rights against deepfake misuse. They emphasized the need to protect likenesses in an age of advanced artificial intelligence systems. Their public stance focused on balancing innovation with legal protections for individuals whose voices might be cloned without consent.
In 2023, Respeecher actively contributed to developing Zvook acoustic sensor system tailored for Armed Forces of Ukraine requirements. Brave1 endorsed this project as part of wartime technological adaptation efforts. Company representatives provided expertise in automation and signal identification to enhance system capabilities. The technology helps discern origin of impacts effectively contributing to military operations. Team members continued working despite full-scale Russian invasion beginning February 2022. Their background in speech synthesis translated into identifying specific audio signatures used in battlefield scenarios.
September 2021 brought an Emmy award for interactive documentary recognizing work on Richard Nixon's voice combined with dialogue performed by another actor. The internet short film titled In Event of Moon Disaster received this honor. In 2024, Campaign Audio Advertising Awards granted Best Use of AI category win for BBC promo for The Capture. Cannes Film Festival awarded Jury Prize status to Emilia Perez that same year. The Webby Awards recognized both Best Art Direction and Accessible Technology categories for projects like The Impossible Bedtime Story. News & Documentary Emmy Awards nominated Outstanding Interactive Media: Documentary for In Event of Moon Disaster deepfake production. These accolades validated their dual focus on creative applications and technical innovation across multiple industries.
Common questions
When was Respeecher founded and where is it based?
Respeecher emerged in February 2018 as a Ukrainian software company dedicated to speech synthesis. Most team members remained located within Ukraine throughout this period of rapid expansion.
What projects did Respeecher work on for Disney and Star Wars?
In December 2020, Disney streaming series The Mandalorian credited Respeecher for synthesizing the voice of young Luke Skywalker. By the 27th of June 2022, the company created an AI voice for Darth Vader based on James Earl Jones archive recordings from earlier Star Wars projects.
How much funding has Respeecher raised since its founding?
In early March 2020, Respeecher secured $1.5 million in startup funding from investors. Since that founding moment in 2018, the organization has raised over $3 million in total investments.
Which video games used Respeecher technology for character voices?
November 2022 marked the first time a synthetic speech artist received credit in Sony's video game God of War Ragnarök. CD Projekt announced in October 2023 that they utilized Respeecher to synthesize the voice of Miłogost Reczek for Cyberpunk 2077 expansion Phantom Liberty.
Did Respeecher contribute to military technology during the war in Ukraine?
In 2023, Respeecher actively contributed to developing Zvook acoustic sensor system tailored for Armed Forces of Ukraine requirements. Team members continued working despite full-scale Russian invasion beginning February 2022 and provided expertise in automation and signal identification.
All sources
24 references cited across the entry
- 1webLombardi Super Bowl Ad Features Voice Technology by LIFT Labs Alum RespeecherCharles Haggerty — 2021-03-15
- 3newsUkrainian Startups Secure Funding Even as War EnduresEric Sylvers — 2022-09-13
- 6magazineDarth Vader's Voice Emanated From War-Torn Ukraine2022-09-23
- 7newsRespect to the Ukrainian sound engineer who worked on Star Wars voices between air raid sirensKatie Wickens — 2022-08-23
- 8webHow Ukrainian Company Respeecher De-Aged Mark Hamill's Voice for 'Boba Fett' and 'The Mandalorian'Jazz Tangcay — 2022-03-22
- 9webTHE MANDALORIAN Used Voice Cloning Software for Luke Skywalker's VoiceAmy Ratcliffe — 2021-08-25
- 10webNixon's unheard moon-disaster speech is now a warning about the deepfake futureAndrada Fiscutean — 2021-10-21
- 11webColleagues under fire, spooked investors and an Emmy award: Ukrainian founders on a year of warWanat Zosia — 13 Feb 2023
- 12magazineWatch Aloe Blacc Sing 'Wake Me Up' in Three Languages to Honor Fourth Anniversary of Avicii's DeathKatie Bain — 2022-04-21
- 13webJames Earl Jones is hanging up his cape as Darth VaderScottie Andrew — 2022-09-26
- 14newsStar Wars: James Earl Jones steps back from Darth Vader role2022-09-26
- 15newsThe droids you're looking for: how Ukrainian AI recreated Darth Vader's voiceAlex Hern — 2022-09-27
- 17webJames Earl Jones Steps Back From Voicing Darth Vader, Signs Off on Using Archived Recordings to Recreate Voice With A.I.BreAnna Bell — September 24, 2022
- 18webGod of War Ragnarok Director reveals why Atreus' voice changedRenzo Guevara — 2022-11-11
- 20newsVideo Game Cyberpunk 2077 Uses AI To Replace Deceased Voice ActorJason Schreier — 2023-10-12
- 22citationBrave1 Система акустичних сенсорів Zvook18 January 2024