Talking Gloves to Break Barriers for Deaf

“An Australian scientist is developing a set of gloves capable of translating sign language, a move he hopes could ease communication for deaf and mute people.

University of New South Wales research fellow Waleed Kadous said Thursday the gloves would be connected to a computer that has been programmed to measure the movement of the wearer’s hand and distinguish between different signs.

It then translates the signs into written English on a monitor.

At a recent trial, the computer was able to translate Australian sign language with 95 percent accuracy, said Kadous.

Kadous said his aim was to create a device enclosed in the gloves that translates signs as they are made and then “speaks” the words through a transmitter to the person with whom the deaf or mute is communicating.”