Q is a genderless digital voice meant to be used for virtual assistants.
Virtue Nordic (part of Vice Media’s global ad agency) in collaboration with Copenhagen Pride, Equal El, researchers, production and sound studios created the neutral voice out of 24 voices. To receive neither masculine nor feminine voice, they chose one that could be placed on a frequency between 145Hz and 175Hz. According to research, most people perceive voices within this range as gender-neutral. Four modifications of this voice were sampled to 4500 survey participants. After listening to it they placed the voices on a scale running from one (masculine) to five (feminine). The one that ultimately was chosen – Q – 50 percent perceived as neutral, 26 percent perceived it as being masculine and 24 percent as feminine. It is not yet implemented in any tech device, according to the group they are in conversations with several companies including the ‘big four’ player.
