New Delhi: Nuance Communications Inc. of USA on Friday signed an agreement with the teNet Group of Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) to enter into a strategic relationship to develop various innovative applications.

TeNet is a coalition of faculties from the electrical engineering, computer science and engineering departments of IIT Madras. Nuance sells voice and productivity-based solutions.

Nuance and TeNet will jointly collaborate to develop applications relevant to the Indian market to adopt speech-based application in e-commerce, remote healthcare and e-governance.

The partners will set up and foster on-campus pilot projects with the aim to help incubate start-ups that will refine, scale and commercialise these solutions.

Nuance will also set up a development and testing lab within teNet.

"This strategic relationship will help us develop innovative applications relevant to the Indian market," Steve Chambers, president of mobile solutions and customer services at Nuance, said.

"We will also explore engaging the TeNet faculty in an advisory role to provide direction, expertise and guidance with respect to emerging market and technology trends", Chambers added. IANS