UAE Innovation Recognised with Patent for AI-Powered Sign Language Translation Platform
Abu Dhabi, UAE – An innovative AI-powered multilingual sign language translation platform, HearMe, has been awarded a patent, marking a significant development in accessibility technology within the UAE. The platform, developed through collaborative academic research, provides real-time bidirectional translation capabilities crucial for enhancing communication for individuals with hearing impairments.
Patent Details and Technological Advancement
The patent covers the HearMe application’s unique functionality, which translates signed gestures into written text and converts typed text into animated sign language instantaneously. The system supports multiple sign systems, including American and French sign languages, addressing a critical gap in spontaneous and everyday communication scenarios. This technological achievement is particularly noteworthy for its ability to interpret continuous hand motion and gestures in context, generating natural animated sign language output from text – a complex technical challenge.
Alignment with National Inclusion Strategies
This patent award underscores the UAE’s commitment to fostering innovation that aligns with its national priorities of inclusion, accessibility, and sustainable development. The HearMe platform’s objectives are directly in line with the broader objectives of the UAE National Policy for Empowering People of Determination. Experts involved in its development highlighted its potential to strengthen the participation of individuals with hearing impairments in academic, professional, and social environments.
The technology aims to bridge communication gaps in various settings, from classroom exchanges and hospital consultations to workplace meetings and government service interactions. This focus on improving daily interactions is particularly relevant given global statistics, which indicate that over 430 million people worldwide live with disabling hearing loss, a figure projected to exceed 700 million by 2050.
Future Development and Impact
Originating from undergraduate research at Abu Dhabi University, with contributions from an Associate Professor of Computer Science, the platform’s initial development faced challenges, including limited access to resources during a global lockdown. However, the perseverance in learning and applying machine learning principles from scratch ultimately led to this significant intellectual property milestone.
Abu Dhabi University has confirmed its plans to continue developing the HearMe platform. These efforts will be integrated with broader institutional inclusion initiatives, with further rollout anticipated across academic and professional environments. This ongoing commitment signals a continued focus on leveraging technological advancements to create a more accessible and inclusive society within the UAE.