Scientists at the University of Antwerp have developed a robotic arm that can understand and perform sign language. The robotic hand was made with a 3D printer.
The scientists, young students Guy and Stijn, came up with the idea when they heard that there is a growing shortage of sign language interpreters. Deaf children are increasingly entering regular classes and there are not enough sign language interpreters available there.
Technology
A 3D printer, three motor controllers and an Arduino computer were used in making the robotic arm, called project Aslan, while 16 servomotors were inserted into the forearm. These serve as the muscles and, through strings (tendons), allow the hand to move. The hand translates written messages into sign language and can be a handy sign language interpreter when there is no human interpreter nearby. This can occur in a classroom or courtroom, for example.
More research required
Because the hand can only translate written messages yet, it is not yet very useful, as deaf people might as well write down their messages. Therefore, the scientists' ultimate goal is for the computer to understand spoken text and translate it into gestures. More research is needed for that.
It still takes quite some time to make the arm. Printing the 25 plastic parts takes a total of 139 hours, assembling it 10 hours. However, according to the scientists, the production is reasonably inexpensive in contrast to similar technological developments for the deaf, at 900 euros. "Thanks to the innovative design, Aslan remains affordable, with no loss of quality," they say. Pieces can be printed off on a 3D printer and then easily assembled, almost like lego. The use of 3D printing technology makes it possible to reduce production costs, as well as carry out modifications or repairs where necessary."
Larger
The scientists have now made the hand available to the public. This way, they can find out where improvements are still needed.
However, they have expressed an ambition to perfect the robot within five years, eventually making it a human machine, with two arms, a torso and a face that displays emotions. This is likely to be projected through a screen, which could make the sign language more expressive, allowing people to better understand it to make gestures faster.
For now, the robot hand has only mastered the Flemish language.
By: Kelly Bakker
Source + photo: UAntwerpen
