Computer academics at the University of East Anglia (UEA) teamed with the Royal National Institute for Deaf people (RNID) and Norwich-based animation company Televirtual to build Guido — a virtual signer.
"Traditional methods of animating virtual humans involve dressing people in cumbersome body suits and can be very time consuming," said Professor John Glauert of the UEA. "With our sign language notation, experts can use a standard PC to prepare and fine-tune the animation."
The university said it took two years to develop the technology, which launched on Norfolk-based charity Web site Deaf Connexions on Wednesday.
The launch, made during Deaf Awareness Week (which ran from 2 May to 6 May), will enable deaf people to communicate with Norfolk County Council information officers, the university said. Deaf people who want to find out about rubbish collection or library opening times will be able to type their request onto a computer screen and the information officers will then input a set answer, which is then signed by Guido.
The RNID provided two signers to translate British Sign Language hand and facial movements into a set of symbols similar to hieroglyphics.
Sue Moore of Deaf Connexions said she was thrilled that deaf people would be able to understand information on their Web site. "The virtual reality signer will help deaf people whose first language is British sign language and for whom written English is not easily accessible. This technology means that they can access information a lot quicker," Moore said.
The UEA Department of Computer Science is developing a system to allow virtual humans to sign information appearing on television programmes.
Talkback
I'm actually learnign sign language at the moment, the reason that some deaf people do not know how to read is because, essentially, it is another language.
The person might be Profoundly Deaf, which means from birth. As a result the language of communication they learn will be sign, not neccessarily written word.
Well done, but its probrably too fast for me to understand. Speed control would be good, actually I would like to see this in Longhorn...
Are the number of deaf people who can't read English really so high as to warrant the tax money that has been spent on this? Surely teaching them to read would be money better spent?
There are about 9 Million Deaf people in the UK. I think it is fair for the project to have funding.
I am hearing,
This system could be used in everyday life of a deaf person.
(for the last person, Too ashamed to leave name) Can you imagin going to your GP or going in to hospital and having to take someone with you. Not so bad for deaf ladies as there are quite a few lady Interpreters, But a deaf gent would have to have a female interpreter go in with him.
GP could type info onto computer and have it instantly translated into BSL.
Looking a Past work they have done and things they are planning on it will be will well worth the public funding.
The Deaf Comunity needs more funding not less. Should get rid of some political people, or cut their expences, that should help the country out!!!