Technology and Innovations

SignAloud was developed by two undergraduate students at the University of Washington, Navid Azodi and Thomas Pryor. They entered the technology into the Lemelson-MIT Student Prize competition, winning the “Use It” undergraduate category for its innovative approach. Their purpose was to create an easy-to-use bridge between native ASL users and the broader world, rooted in a belief that communication is a fundamental human right. The idea grew out of their shared interest in invention and problem solving, coupled with a desire to improve accessibility for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

SignAloud is an innovative wearable technology that translates sign language into text or speech in real time. It consists of a pair of gloves equipped with sensors that track hand positions and movements corresponding to words and phrases used in American Sign Language (ASL). The sensor data is transmitted wirelessly via Bluetooth to a computer, which processes the gestures through statistical models similar to neural networks and outputs the interpreted word or phrase. The system was designed to help bridge communication between sign language users and non-signers by making gestural language instantly understandable to others.