Current Date: 27 Jun, 2026
{{entry.title}}

Kenyan Innovator Creates Smart Gloves That Translate Sign Language Into Audible Speech

In 2023, a Kenyan inventor Roy Allela invented smart gloves that can convert sign language movements into audio speech, for his six years old niece who was born deaf.

Roy Allela, a 25-year-old inventor, is genuinely changing lives through his passion for contemporary technology.

Sign-IO smart gloves were created by an Oxford University data science tutor and tech enthusiast to facilitate easy communication with the deaf community.

Seventy million people speak over 300 sign languages, but only a small percentage of people worldwide are able to understand them. There is now a barrier separating the deaf community from the general public due to this lack of understanding.

Allela was motivated to design gloves after witnessing firsthand the challenges of communicating with his deaf 6-year-old niece.

In an interview, Allela stated, “My niece puts on the gloves, connects them to her phone or mine, and then begins signing, and I can understand what she’s saying.”

The revolutionary gloves translate sign language gestures into audible speech by using flex sensors on each finger. Every sensor processes the letters being signed and measures the fingers’ bend. Clever, huh?

Once synchronized, users can connect the gloves to the app through Bluetooth. The app then translates the movements into letters, making communication easier for both parties.

Smart Gloves That Translate Sign Language Into Audible Speech 1
Image 1 = Photo credit: peopleofcolorintech.com

Reports state that 70 million individuals globally suffer from hearing impairments of some kind. Even though sign language is the most efficient means of communication with the deaf community, very few people in the world are able to understand it.

The deaf community and those who are not familiar with sign language are separated by this lack of understanding. Roy Allela, a Kenyan inventor, hopes to address this with his most recent creation.

Allela continued, “We integrated that into the mobile application so that it’s comfortable for anyone to use. People speak at different speeds, and it’s the same with people who sign.”

To help teachers better understand their students, the inventor has also implemented the invention in special needs schools located in rural Kenya.

Users can select both the vocalization pitch and their native language via the app. Allela claims that the results are likewise 93% accurate.

Many publications have taken notice of Roy’s intelligent gloves. Even the American Society of Mechanical Engineers awarded the Kenyan inventor a prize.

Similar Stories
How 'Brad's Drink' Became Pepsi-Cola

How 'Brad's Drink' Became Pepsi-Cola

Pepsi was first introduced as “Brad’s Drink” in New Bern, North Carolina, United States, in 1893 by Caleb Bradham, who made it at his drugstore where the drink was sold. It was renamed Pepsi Cola in 1898, named after the digestive enzyme pepsin and kola nuts used in the recipe.

A subway in Chongqing passes through a building (images)

A subway in Chongqing passes through a building (images)

A train has been constructed through an apartment complex in Chongqing, China. The 19-story residential structure is not only passed by the light rail passenger train, but it also serves as a transit stop. Apartment residents can simply get a ride from the sixth to eighth levels.

China Weather Control on 2008 Olympics with missile

China Weather Control on 2008 Olympics with missile

One thing is certain: when it comes to ensuring nice weather for the world's largest party, the Chinese cannot be accused of being subtle. The Chinese government authorized the use of 1,104 cloud seeding missile launches from 4:00-11:39 p.m. on Friday night to reduce the possibility of rain ahead of the 29th Olympic opening ceremony in Beijing

Who invented the three-point seat belt?

Who invented the three-point seat belt?

While employed by Volvo in 1959, Swidish engineer Nils Bohlin created the three-point safety belt. Volvo first had the design patented, but soon as they discovered its importance as a new safety measure, they made the patent open to everyone. Millions of lives were genuinely spared by Volvo’s gift to the world.

Story of Forrest Fenn and who he hid a bronze chest treasure full of gold and other jewels

Story of Forrest Fenn and who he hid a bronze chest treasure full of gold and other jewels

Forrest Fenn, an art dealer, hid a bronze chest full of gold and other jewels somewhere in the Rocky Mountains ten years ago. In a poem, he hinted at its location. Thousands of people tried and failed to find the treasure, which is said to be worth over a million dollars, and at least four people died in the process. In June 2020, the Fenn treasure was discovered.

Man uses first-class ticket to eat for free at airport's VIP lounge for almost a year

Man uses first-class ticket to eat for free at airport's VIP lounge for almost a year

A Chinese man purchased a First Class Ticket, which included admission to a VIP Lounge with free food. Over the course of a year, he rescheduled over 300 times in order to receive over 300 free dinners. When questioned, it was discovered that he is rescheduling his reservation to another date after eating. He eventually cancelled the ticket and got a full refund.

The WWII Parachute Wedding Dress

The WWII Parachute Wedding Dress

Major Claude Hensinger jumped out of a B-29 bomber during World War II when the engine caught fire. He was saved by his parachute. Later, he requested that his fiancée Ruth make him a gown out of the same parachute. The dress is now on display at the Smithsonian Institute.

Mystery of 300-year-old mummified mermaid is being probed

Mystery of 300-year-old mummified mermaid is being probed

There is a 300-year-old mummified mermaid with 30 centimetres tall and features a human-like head, two hands with what appear to be fingernails, and its lower body that look like a fish tail. The “mermaid mummy” is being probed by Japanese scientists in an attempt to unravel the mystery of its existence.

'Press Your Luck' Was Hacked in 1984 by an Ice Cream Man

'Press Your Luck' Was Hacked in 1984 by an Ice Cream Man

in 1984 an contestant made it onto the game show Press Your Luck. He discovered using his stop-motion VCR that the presumed random patterns of the game board were not random and memorized the sequences. On the game he was on, he won 45 consecutive spins. winning $110,237 in cash & prizes.