Hand of Speech
Technology to help the hearing impaired and deaf to communicate
Introduction
Allela is the brain behind Sign-IO (Hand of Speech), smart gloves that give the hearing impaired and deaf the ability to communicate with people who don’t know sign language.
Allela was inspired to create the technology after needing a method to communicate with his then-six-year-old niece, who was born deaf.
The operating environment significantly influences system design. For Sign-IO, the environment includes various factors. The first is the physical conditions of the system. The gloves must function in diverse conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and UV exposure. Another factor is the technological environment where Bluetooth connectivity to the app requires compatibility with smartphones and other devices.
Last is the social and cultural context. Sign-IO operates within the context of communication between hearing-impaired individuals and non-sign language speakers.
Stakeholders of the system:
- Users: Hearing-impaired individuals and their communication partners.
- Allela: The creator and designer of Sign-IO.
- Manufacturers: Companies responsible for producing Sign-IO gloves. They need expertise in sensor technology, Bluetooth connectivity, and ergonomic design.
- Educational Institutions: Schools where Sign-IO is planned for use.
- Regulatory Bodies: Organizations overseeing safety, standards, and compliance.
- Maintainers: Technicians or service providers who ensure the gloves’ functionality, troubleshoot issues, and perform maintenance.
Regulatory Considerations:
- Environmental Impact: Sign-IO’s production and usage should minimize environmental harm.
- Safety Regulations: Compliance with safety standards ensures user well-being.
- Accessibility Standards: Meeting accessibility guidelines ensures equitable use.
- Privacy and Data Protection: Handling user data securely is crucial.
Impact of Environment on Design:
- Materials Selection: Gloves must withstand environmental conditions (e.g., humidity, UV exposure).
- Energy Efficiency: Bluetooth connectivity should be optimized for battery life.
- Durability: Gloves should withstand wear and tear in various environments.
Systems Operations
Sign-IO uses Bluetooth to connect to the product’s app. With this technology, flex sensors placed inside the gloves on each finger can quantify the bend of a finger and process the letter being signed. His niece wears the gloves, pairs them to her phone or mine, then starts signing.
People speak at different speeds, and so do people who sign; some are fast, and others are slow. He integrated that into the mobile application so that it’s comfortable for anyone to use. Allela plans to get his product in schools across Kenya to assist with learning and accessibility equity for hearing-impaired children.
The system mirrors evidently processes and concepts from INCOSE SE Handbook and the SEBoK. As such, the glove has 93% accuracy in language, gender, and audio pitch recognition. Among other SE processes, the system addresses potential risks (e.g., misinterpretation) guided system design and validation.
Conclusion
System engineering processes and concepts that could have helped better Sign-IO is risk management which is essential in addressing potential risks, such as misinterpretation. Guided system design and validation could also ensure system effectiveness. And lastly, balancing accuracy and speed could help achieve 93% accuracy in language, gender, and audio pitch recognition.
Award: In 2018, Allela and Sign-IO received the Hardware Trailblazer Award during the American Society of Mechanical Engineers global finals contest.
Reference:
- This Kenyan Inventor Is Behind A Smart-Glove That Translates Sign Language Into Speech In Real Time (yahoo.com)
- INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook, v4.0, 2015.
