This Sign Speaks

Like the name suggests, the Smart Sign Language Interpreter is a convenient device that allows hearing-impaired people to communicate with those who are can hear, using sign language. Apparently, Sign Language is the first language learned by hearing-impaired people and as a wristband device it makes use of an EMG sensor, a gyro sensor, and a distance sensor to decode hand signs. How awesome!

• Small distance sensors are applied to the tips of the user’s fingernails.
• When a hearing-impaired person uses signs to communicate to a non-hearing-impaired person (who can not use sign language), the signs are tracked, converted into voice or text data, and sent to the recipient’s smartphone.
• The device also contains speakers that can transmit the voice data directly.
• When a non-hearing-impaired person speaks to a hearing-impaired person, their voice is converted into text by the device, and displayed on its built-in screen.
• The text can be converted into signing diagrams.

Designers: Jeon Sung-Su, Ku Ja-Yun & Lee Seo-Young

Radhika Seth

Radhika Seth is a design and technology writer with over 18 years of experience covering products, innovation, and the ideas shaping design. She serves on the jury of international design competitions, including the iF Design Award, and hosts Yanko Design’s Design Mindset podcast. A former Ogilvy advertising professional, she has also taught Communication and Design Journalism, bringing together her experience across design, storytelling, brands, and media.

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