Automatic sign language translators turn signing into text

Machine translation systems that convert sign language into text and back again are helping people who are deaf or have difficulty hearing to communicate with those who cannot sign. KinTrans, a start-up based in Dallas, Texas, is trialling its technology in a bank and government offices in the United Arab Emirates, and plans to install it in more places over the next couple of months. SignAll, a company based in Budapest, Hungary, will begin its own trials next year. KinTrans uses a 3D camera to track the movement of a person's hands as they sign words. A sign language user can approach a bank teller and sign to the KinTrans camera that they'd like assistance, for example.