13.08.2008

Breaking the silence

Almost 50 000 deaf people live n Poland, and another 900 000 have seriously damaged hearing. For them, the world dominated by hearing people is a reality to which they have no access. Their lives could look completely different if speech to sign language translation systems were available in Poland. For those people, it would mean a real revolution in access to education and professional advancement. Thanks to that, people with hearing problems would be able to gain financial independence. Currently they live on disability pension that is hardly enough to make ends meet.

Work is in progress at the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy to prepare a bill allowing the sign language to gain the status of the official language. Passing this bill would force all public entities in Poland, from commune administration offices to ministries, to employ sign language interpreters. It is hard to expect that over a few months it will be possible to train a sufficient number of translators, and passing the bill is planned for this year already. The stalemate situation could be resolved by introduction of a computer system allowing for real time translation of speech into sign language. Such a project was recently started by a team of scientists from the Information Technology & Electronics Department of the Warsaw University of Technology, as well as IT companies: InteliWISE S.A. and Octogonet.

Currently, devices enabling real-time translation from speech to sign language are not available anywhere in the world. This kind of project is conducted by IBM. Its aim is to translate in real time from English speech to English sign language. Some educational institutions also opened projects on that issue, e.g. the University of Chicago.

A system of this kind can also be created in Poland. The aim is to create InteliWISE AVATAR system aiding in communication with deaf people. Functioning of the system is based on inference engine utilising artificial intelligence, and employing a graphically advanced avatar named Victor (that is, an animated “person” comprised of a video sequence and resembling a filmed man), who will act as a virtual interpreter and assistant using sign language. This innovative solution will allow for translation of speech to Polish sign language in real time.

InteliWISE S.A. technology will be employed in the project, utilising artificial intelligence algorithms such as analysis and processing of natural language, speech synthesis and advanced multimedia. The final product will be ready for use in interactive information stands, mobile terminals (smartphones, PDAs etc.), portals, websites and instant messaging applications.

Listed on NewConnect stock market, InteliWISE S.A. is a leader in the development of the software for optimization of the processes of customer service and online sales through the use of state-of-the-art intelligent Web 3.0 and Semantic Web technologies. The company provides innovative solutions based on artificial intelligence, used to support transactions and friendly on-line customer care. It also creates virtual avatars utilised in the Internet, mobile phones and personal computers. The InteliWISE S.A. Solutions have been implemented by: LOT Polish Airlines, Warsaw Stock Market, The Crowley Group, Carolina Medical Center and Polish Television, among others.

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