Smart glove translates sign language

News

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a smart glove that wirelessly translates the American Sign Language (ASL) alphabet into text.

Known as “The Language of Glove,” the device was built for less than $100 using stretchable and printable electronics which are inexpensive, commercially available and easy to assemble, according to UCSD. The glove has nine flexible strain sensors - two on each finger and one on the thumb - that detect knuckle articulation. A microprocessor computes the ASL letter for each gesture, and a Bluetooth radio transmits the text for display.

(Credit: Timothy O'Connor et al)

In addition to decoding American Sign Language gestures, researchers are developing the glove to be used in a variety of other applications ranging from virtual and augmented reality to telesurgery, technical training and defence.

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