Today the researchers still continue to develop the new technology for cell phone communications. The University of Washington’s Engineering Department still develops the new technology specified for peoples who has hearing impaired. They began development of a device that is able to transmit sign language over cell networks.
Last summer, the researcher completed initial testing utilizing study participants who are either deaf or hard-of-hearing using software called dubbed MobileASL. MobileASL is a video compression project with the goal of making wireless cell phone communication through sign language. Using this software will increases image quality around the face and hands, as well as utilizing motion detection to tell if the person is signing or not. The MobileASL software is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant Nos. IIS-0514353 and IIS-0811884, Sprint, Nokia, and HTC
Now the MobileASL software is being performed test on phones that were imported from Europe – hoping the software can be used on any cell phone device.
