NHK’s automated, animated sign language translator adds gestures to subtitles (video)

We have seen a considerable number of devices designed to assist hearing impaired users communicate via phone or computer , but Japan’s NHK Science & Technology Research Laboratories has just announced a brand new animated translation system to assist get important news to deaf viewers . While televised subtitles may fit for people who understand the language, folks that were born deaf and learned sign language from an early age could have significantly more difficulty. NHK’s system, unveiled at Technology Open House 2011, bypasses this problem by automatically comparing Japanese text to sign language, converting equivalent words into animated onscreen gestures, and replacing differing words with appropriate synonyms. There are, however, a number of kinks to determine. While comprehensible, the translations aren’t exactly fluent and researchers were forced to manually adjust some awkward transitions between words. The last word goal is to create a system that may be used during emergencies or natural disasters, allowing deaf citizens to receive urgent broadcasts as instantly as their hearing compatriots. You’ll find it in action, after the break.

Source

This post is tagged: learned sign language, natural disasters, research laboratories, science technology, technology research, translation system