After talking several times here about technologies designed to help blind people, it's time to look at one which will benefit deaf people.
With this technology, they will be able to use cell phones, but not in the streets. They'll need a PC -- soon a PDA -- and for the time being, to be in Israel.
Reuters unveils the story.
Israel's largest mobile phone operator Cellcom and Israeli start-up Speechview (Your Link to the Hearing World) launched on Tuesday a worldwide patented software that will allow the deaf and hard of hearing to communicate through mobile phones.
The product, LipCcell, is a software installed in the user's computer and connected with a cable to a cell phone. When the deaf user gets a call, the software translates the voice on the other side of the line into a three dimensional animated face on the computer, whose lips move in real time synch with the voice allowing the receiver to lip read.
The software can be used initially only with a computer or laptop, said SpeechView chief executive Tzvika Nayman, though future developments will allow the software to be installed on personal digital assistants.
The kits, including a CD and cable, will cost $125.
Here is a rendering of the future product.
Speechview claims that the level of correct interpretation by the software will reach 85 percent. It also hopes to license its technology in other parts of the world.
If you're interested by the subject, Slashdot carries a lot of comments about the efficiency of this technology compared to other possible ones.
Sources: Reuters, November 26, 2002; Slashdot, November 26, 2002
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