A pair of young undergraduate students from the University of Washington have won a €10,000 student prize for inventing gloves that can translate American Sign Language into speech or text.
Navid Azodi and Thomas Pryor developed the gloves with the aim to create a bridge between native Sign Language speakers and the rest of the world because they believe communication is a “fundamental human right”.
“By simply putting on a pair of gloves, those who utilise American Sign Language can now communicate with the rest of the world the way they communicate with each other,” said inventor Navid.
So how does it work? Well, the sensors on the SignAloud gloves record the signing movements and transmits them into a central computer. The computer then appraises the info received, matches it to the correct word and verbalises it through a speaker.
And while not the first Sign Language translation device out there, it’s smaller, lighter and more practical.
“Many of the sign language translation devices already out there are not practical for everyday use,” Thomas told UW Today. “Some use video input, while others have sensors that cover the user’s entire arm or body,” Pryor told. “Our gloves are lightweight, compact and worn on the hands, but ergonomic enough to use as an everyday accessory, similar to hearing aids or contact lenses.”
The pair met in their first year of college and quickly realised they shared a passion for invention. And according to UW Today, Navid’s broad history of volunteer work compelled him to invent something that would have a real impact on the world.
Truly a case of where technology meets compassion and social contribution.
Bravo to this passionate pair!
