Deaf people could use the #HighTechgloves, doing it quicker and easier for them to communicate verbally.
Two University students have produced a pair of gloves which turn symbol language into spoken language.
Navid Azodi and Thomas Pryor gained a $10,000 (£6,900) prize for the wearable device, which registers hand position and movement before transferring the data wirelessly over Bluetooth to a computer.
Then, algorithms are applied to figure out what is said, in a similar process to that used by Apple’s Siri voice assistant.
The University of Washington students adopted a system similar to how neural networks work in synthetic intelligence to engineering the gloves to identify specific sign language movements.
When the system detects a match, it then reads the words aloud.
The High Tech Gloves could be consumed by deaf people, making it quicker and easier for them to communicate orally simply by using their hands.
Mr Pryor said: “Many of the sign language translation equipment already out there are not practical for everyday use.
“Some apply video input while others have sensors that comprise the user’s entire arm or body.
“Our gloves are lightweight, small and worn on the hands, but ergonomic enough to use as an everyday assistant, similar to hearing aids or contact lenses.”
Mr Pryor is studying aeronautics and astronautics engineering while Mr Azodi is a former NASA intern who is studying business administration.
High Tech Gloves Turn Type Language Into Speech
26/04/2016