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<p class="font_8">The Hartree Centre was created by UK Government to help businesses and public sector organisations accelerate the adoption of high performance computing (HPC), big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technologies. We play a key role in realising UK Government’s Industrial Strategy by stimulating applied digital research and innovation, creating value for the organisations we work with and generating economic and societal impact for the UK. We are proud to be part of UK Research and Innovation.</p>

HARTREE CENTRE

ACCCESSIBILITY - AI - PUBLIC TRANSPORT

The Hartree Centre was created by UK Government to help businesses and public sector organisations accelerate the adoption of high performance computing (HPC), big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technologies. We play a key role in realising UK Government’s Industrial Strategy by stimulating applied digital research and innovation, creating value for the organisations we work with and generating economic and societal impact for the UK. We are proud to be part of UK Research and Innovation.

Company overview
Facts
Key Statistics

Public transport services can be difficult to use or even inaccessible to British Sign Language (BSL) users, such as people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Being unable to efficiently communicate with non-BSL users, or access audio updates containing essential travel information can cause misunderstandings and frustrations, making public transport inaccessible and challenging to use. To address this, technology exists that allows the translation of English into BSL, for example, through the use of an AI avatar. This technology allows one-way communication between a hearing person and a Deaf person, but doesn’t enable the Deaf person to respond through sign language. BSL translation has historically been underfunded and remains an open research question, and the additional element of visual input makes this a computationally expensive task to address.

Challenges
Key Results

  • Successful proof-of-concept created for sign language-to-English translation

  • Potential for increased accessibility for Deaf individuals across further applications

  • Demonstration of the potential of AIdriven accessibility technology

  • Developing research into the use of AI for communication for the Deaf community

By developing proof-of-concepts for cutting-edge AI-powered translation tools, we could potentially transform accessibility for the UK’s public transport system. This breakthrough in BSL-to-English translation could bridge critical communication gaps, fostering a more inclusive society. Through this research, we are pushing the boundaries of AI’s role in accessibility, demonstrating its potential to solve real-world challenges. InSignLanguage is committed to advancing this innovation into a commercialised tool that can seamlessly integrate across transport networks and potentially other industries, empowering Deaf individuals to navigate public spaces more easily

Outcome
<p class="font_8">The Hartree Centre was created by UK Government to help businesses and public sector organisations accelerate the adoption of high performance computing (HPC), big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum technologies. We play a key role in realising UK Government’s Industrial Strategy by stimulating applied digital research and innovation, creating value for the organisations we work with and generating economic and societal impact for the UK. We are proud to be part of UK Research and Innovation.</p>

Image Source: Adobe Stock

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