Sign Language Glove

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By By KOMO Staff & News Services

Summary

Mexican inventor is designing a high-tech glove that can translate sign language into spoken words.

Story Published: Jul 3, 2003 at 11:56 PM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 1:06 AM PDT

Sign Language Glove
WASHINGTON - An electronic glove that can turn American Sign Language (ASL) into spoken words is being developed by a young Mexican scientist outside Washington DC.

The glove, loaded with sensors called 'accelerometers', senses hand postures and determines when the wearer is making a valid sign.

The apparatus then translates the sign into electronic speech or computer text. It currently knows fewer than 200 words, but inventor Jose Hernandez-Rebollar is working to increase its vocabulary.

Hernandez-Rebollar built the unit from spare parts as part of his doctoral thesis at George Washington University. He knew no sign language before starting the project.

He says that the project, called the 'AcceleGlove', might one day make an excellent tool to teach people sign language. The unit could be programmed for different languages.

While his final objective is to create a full-scale translator, he questions whether this is possible because American Sign Language is not structured like a spoken language and there would be too many gaps in syntax and logic to fill in.

The single glove also limits the number of words that can be interpreted as ASL relies on both hands and some facial expressions. Existing technology also makes it bulky and inconvenient to wear.

Further refinements and wireless technology may broaden the glove's versatility, possibly to include military uses.

This might allow a platoon commander to communicate through hand signals transmitted to a plate attached to a soldier's body.

The plate would vibrate in code, relaying the commander's orders.

The 34-year-old scientist came to Washington on a Fulbright scholarship. Now that he has earned his doctorate, visa restrictions will force him back to Mexico in a few months.

He hopes to return to his home in Puebla and start a school for the deaf and older people.

Hernandez-Rebollar intends to apply for a US patent for his invention.