The teddy bear story

The person who built TalkingCurve usually speaks comfortably with friends. But in online meetings with unfamiliar people, the words kept getting tangled. Meetings with other departments and online presentations called for quick explanations, and the same rambling kept returning.

The turning point came during an online interview, sitting on the interviewer’s side. The candidate on the screen was the more articulate speaker. That day, the person asking the questions realized they struggled more with speaking than the person answering them.

Friends were asked how they dealt with this. Their answer was practice: “Even if it is just in front of a teddy bear.”

But a teddy bear does not answer. Neither does a mirror or a wall. Real conversations become difficult because the other person responds, yet rehearsal had no one to respond.

So a practice partner that answers was built. In a meeting-style room, AI participants respond out loud, while a coach offers speaking feedback in a separate conversation. An unwanted part of the conversation can be removed and said again.

This service began with that teddy bear.