Milya Mohd Asyraf, a 22-year-old student at the University of Plymouth, has developed an innovative device that could revolutionize communication for the multilingual and hard of hearing. Her creation, a £30 device, translates speech into text and projects it onto a small screen in front of the user's glasses, offering a unique and affordable solution to language barriers.
What makes this project particularly fascinating is its potential to address a common challenge faced by many of us. Language barriers, whether due to multilingual environments or accents, can make communication tricky. Many existing translation tools rely on phones or expensive smart glasses, which can interrupt conversations or reduce accessibility. Milya's device, however, aims to fit seamlessly into our daily lives without causing disruption.
The device's core functionality lies in its ability to capture speech through a small microphone and translate it into written text in real-time. This is achieved through an AI model and a microcontroller, which acts as a small computer, detecting and translating language. The translated text is then projected onto a small screen in front of the user's glasses, appearing like subtitles in their field of view.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this invention is its adaptability. While it can be programmed for specific languages, its utility extends beyond foreign language translation. Milya highlights its effectiveness in transcription, making it invaluable for people with hearing impairments who can now have a subtitle display.
Milya's passion for accessibility technology is evident in her approach. She emphasizes the importance of creating technology that people need and want to use without compromising their privacy or data security. Her advice to aspiring designers is a testament to her philosophy: starting with a simple plan and taking immediate action, regardless of one's knowledge level.
This project not only showcases Milya's ingenuity but also opens up exciting possibilities for the future of communication technology. As we continue to navigate a diverse and interconnected world, devices like hers could play a pivotal role in bridging language gaps and fostering better understanding among people from different backgrounds.
