Milan, September 9 (askanews) – A robot capable of translating a teacher's lesson into sign language in real time. This is a Kenyan startup's response to a problem affecting thousands of children in the country: of the approximately 300.000 with some form of hearing impairment, only 20.000 are enrolled in school, struggling with a myriad of difficulties understanding. Norah Kimathi, 22, is co-founder of the startup, Zerobionic.
"When we started, we started with just simple robotic hands. Then we received feedback and it made us realize that sign language involves many elements beyond just what you say. There are facial expressions, for example. That's when we decided to build a fully-fledged humanoid." While the teacher speaks, the lesson is translated directly into sign language.
Thanks to a screen built into their chest, students can ask questions in sign language, which are then converted into speech for the teacher. And there's another interesting aspect of this technology that has emerged in school trials: robotic arms are being tested by deaf teachers to record and memorize signs, thanks to a special suit.
Through this process, a database of technical terms is being created drawing on English, American and Kenyan signs that is helping to broaden sign language and make it easier for deaf children to learn and communicate.
Notizie.it editorial team