For those who are speech or hearing impaired, sign language can be one of their main forms of communication. The issue is that not everyone knows sign language which can lead to communication barriers. Three Ukrainian students have just won first place in Microsoft’s Imagine Cup 2012 with their Enable Talk Glove project. The glove translates sign language and then wirelessly sends the translation to a smartphone app.
“.. we’ve developed the model of gloves that includes modern microcontroller, 15 flex sensors, accelerometer, gyroscope, and a compass in order to define the position of the glove in space, a Bluetooth module for data transmission from the gloves to a mobile device and a USB-port for the synchronization with the PC and for charging the Li-ion battery that provides power. The glove is also fitted with a solar panel to provide for longer intervals between charging and out of concern for environment.”
The current prototype retails for around $50 however, hopefully with economy of scale, once this goes into full production the price will be a lot less.
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This is a brilliant idea and it is going to help deaf children socialize better with non-deaf children.
where and how can i get my self a pair is there a website that i can go on and buy them?
@taylor – still really in the concept stage and not yet a retail product as far as I’m aware. You could contact the guys at Enable Talk (http://enabletalk.com/contacts.html) to see what their timeframe is or if they can assist.
Will you let us know if this hits stores? Or if it can be special ordered?