Aberdeen scientists have managed to come across a new technology that is capable of transforming sign language into text, and should it manage to take off in a big way, perhaps it will help those who are hearing impaired be able to communicate in more ways than ever before. Known as the portable sign language translator (PSLT), it is capable of using a camera on devices including notebooks and smartphones. Not only that, it would definitely come in handy for those who do not understand sign language at all, as this app translates hand movements into text. According to Dr. Ernesto Compatangelo, a lecturer in computing science at the University of Aberdeen, as well as the founder of Technabling, says, “The aim of the technology is to empower sign language users by enabling them to overcome the communication challenges they can experience, through portable technology. Their signs are immediately translated into text which can be read by the person they are conversing with. The intent is to develop an application – an app in smart phone terms – that is easily accessible and could be used on different devices.” It is hoped that this technology will end up as a product by the time 2013 rolls around.
Filed in ..