One problem that deaf people often come across when using sign language is that most non-deaf people aren’t familiar with it. We’ve already seen the MyVoice device act as a translator for those with hearing difficulties, and now the Ukraine-based Enable Talk project has come up with a way to make digital sign language translation mobile.

The device consists of a pair of gloves worn by the sign language user, which contains 14 flexible sensors, a microcontroller and a Bluetooth transmitter on each hand. The sensors instantly and continually detect the words that are being signed, and this information is then sent to the Enable Talk app on the conversation partner’s smartphone. The app then uses software to turn the information from the gloves into the corresponding sounds. The current prototype costs around USD 150 to build, although with investment and development the team aims to reduce this to around USD 75.

The device has already won the Software Design category of the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2012. Could you help bring this product to market?

Website: www.enabletalk.com
Contact: info@enabletalk.com

Spotted by: Murray Orange

From easyJobs to easyPizza, easyJet’s founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou isn’t afraid to branch out into new industries. His newest foray piqued our interest, since it’s a concept we wrote about three times last year—flexible working spaces. easyOffice aims to bring flexible and affordable, serviced office space, allowing entrepreneurs to ‘match the space they rent with the demands of their business’.

easyOffice’s first location will open in Kensington, London in May or June 2007, with rooms for rent long and short term. Gulf News reports that Stelios is also eyeing Dubai: “There are so many start up businesses in Dubai and people are constantly moving in and out. With the things that are happening here and the dynamism of the economy I think a flexible office space solution might work here.” It might work, indeed. With office space vacancy as low as 1%, rents in Dubai are high. For more examples of spaces that offer business professionals everything they need to stay productive outside a traditional office, check out our previous coverage of start-ups in Canada, the UK, Australia and South Africa.

Website: www.easyoffice.co.uk