Nuance agrees to buy VoiceSignal

Nuance Communications Inc. said today it has agreed to buy VoiceSignal Technologies Inc. for about $293 million in a bid to exploit growing demand for speech-enabled mobile devices.

Nuance of Burlington is a provider of speech and imaging solutions for businesses and consumers; VoiceSignal of Woburn focuses on mobile voice technology.

According to Nuance, the acquisition will create an organization with broad resources, solutions, and expertise that will satisfy the accelerating demand for speech-enabled mobile devices and services.

Nuance said it expects to serve more than 1 billion consumers within the next three years with voice-based mobile solutions.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)