Pune-based startup, Glovatrix, is pioneering the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with sign language interpretation. With an estimated 63 million Indians grappling with significant auditory impairment, the need for effective communication tools for the deaf community has never been more pressing. Glovatrix’s innovative solution, centered around AI-driven gloves, promises to transform the landscape of communication for individuals with hearing disabilities.
Founded in 2020 by Parikshit Sohoni, a former data scientist, and Aishwarya Karnataki, an electrical engineer, Glovatrix represents a beacon of hope for the deaf community. Their journey is marked by unwavering dedication, relentless innovation, and a deep-seated commitment to social impact.
At the core of Glovatrix’s groundbreaking technology lies a meticulously curated dataset, meticulously crafted through the collective efforts of its team. With a focus on capturing the nuances of sign language gestures, Glovatrix employs a rigorous process, recording each gesture an astonishing 50 times. This meticulous approach ensures unparalleled accuracy and precision in the translation process, laying a solid foundation for their AI-driven solution.
The gloves themselves, now in their seventh iteration of development, boast embedded sensors capable of capturing the intricacies of sign language gestures. Operating in tandem with an AI algorithm housed in the cloud, these gloves serve as a conduit between the user and the digital realm. Complementing this hardware innovation is a user-friendly app developed by Glovatrix, facilitating seamless interaction between the AI algorithm and the sensors integrated within the gloves.
However, Glovatrix’s ambitions extend far beyond mere translation. “What we are doing is essentially providing two-way communication for the deaf individual,” explains Sohoni. “If I am deaf, I will use sign language, and the gloves will convert that into speech. Conversely, when someone speaks to the deaf individual, microphones and a screen retrofitted to the gloves will facilitate translation from voice to text or image.” This holistic approach ensures comprehensive communication accessibility, empowering individuals with auditory impairment to engage more fully with the world around them.
Looking ahead, Glovatrix is committed to further refining its technology and expanding its impact. With plans underway to enlist the expertise of 10 deaf individuals to contribute to gesture recording, the startup aims to capture the diversity inherent in sign language expression. By employing deaf individuals of various heights and genders, Glovatrix seeks to encapsulate the rich variability of sign language gestures, underlining its commitment to inclusivity and diversity.
Despite the formidable challenges encountered during its three-year journey, Glovatrix has persevered, buoyed by grants totaling Rs 75 lakh secured from governmental sources and other avenues. The initial focus remains on positioning the device as an indispensable tool for workplace communication, with an emphasis on industries such as retail and hospitality. Recognizing the vast repertoire of gestures in Indian sign language, Glovatrix adopts a pragmatic approach, focusing on capturing and deploying a subset of gestures tailored to specific workplace contexts.
Looking to the future, Sohoni envisions a continual evolution of Glovatrix’s offerings, both in terms of functionality and aesthetics. Acknowledging the current rudimentary appearance of the gloves, he affirms the need for refinement and enhancement. “Our current iteration may appear rudimentary, akin to a handcrafted assemblage, with liberal use of adhesive. Moving forward, we aspire to elevate the aesthetics and functionality of our products,” Sohoni asserts, hinting at Glovatrix’s unwavering dedication to innovation and excellence.
