The concept is not new, but UCLA’s prototype gloves are more comfortable and much less bulky than other designs, the researchers said. Better yet, the pieces only cost around $ 50 and could drop even further with large-scale production, UCLA assistant professor Jun Chen said. Fast company.
It is still a prototype and needs to be faster and understand more signs to be practical. However, after a few more years of development, it could allow deaf people to communicate more easily. “Our hope is that this will open up an easy way for people who use sign language to communicate directly with non-signers without the need for someone else to translate for them,” Chen said.
Critics within the deaf community were not so impressed, saying that deaf signers already have tools to help them communicate. “It would be a lot easier if the technology focused on user-centered design and user first,” said deaf postdoctoral researcher Gabrielle Hodge. CNN. However, it could also serve as an educational tool. “We hope that it can help more people learn sign language for themselves,” Chen said.
