Breaking Barriers in AI Sign Language Translation: Signapse's Journey from Concept to Reality
Signapse
In the realm of technological innovation, the genesis of groundbreaking solutions often stems from a confluence of personal experiences, academic pursuits, and technical expertise. For Sally, Ben, and Richard, the journey of Signapse—a pioneering AI-driven sign language translation platform—emerged from their collective commitment to revolutionise accessibility for the Deaf community.
Sally Chalk, CEO and Co-Founder at Signapse, brings to the table a wealth of experience in delivering services for sign language users, coupled with a keen interest in linguistics and cognitive psychology. Her journey into the world of sign language started by learning level 2 British Sign Language (BSL), training as a social worker and raising 3 small children, all at the same time. Sally's passion for creating impactful solutions laid the groundwork for Signapse's mission to enhance linguistic and cultural recognition within the Deaf community. Before Signapse, Sally was also the founder of a SME, Clarion Interpreting Limited, the UK’s largest BSL interpreting business.
Ben Saunders, CTO and Co-Founder, found inspiration in his upbringing, where exposure to basic sign language through his mother—a special needs teacher—sparked his interest in the field. His academic journey into artificial intelligence (AI) at the University of Surrey paved the way for a transformative realisation: the fusion of AI with sign language held immense potential. This epiphany propelled Ben into the realm of sign language technology, culminating in the inception of Signapse.
Richard Bowden, Chief Scientist and Co-Founder, embarked on his journey of discovery during his academic pursuits, where a fascination with sign language led him to develop systems capable of recognising finger spelling during his PhD. Richard's immersion in the language and culture of the Deaf community fuelled his passion for creating innovative solutions to bridge communication gaps.
Resilience Through Challenges
The transition from concept to reality posed a myriad of challenges for the Signapse team. For Sally, navigating the transition from an established SME to the dynamic landscape of a startup demanded a return to fundamentals. From relearning essential skills to navigating the intricacies of team-building and fundraising, every step of the journey brought new insights and opportunities for growth.
Ben encountered his greatest challenge in the technical domain. Transforming research into a viable product required overcoming the inherent hurdles of scaling AI-driven technologies for real-world application. The transition from academic exploration to practical implementation demanded a meticulous approach to engineering and optimisation.
Richard grappled with a different set of challenges centred around education and perception. Bridging the gap between the hearing world and the Deaf community necessitated raising awareness about the importance of sign language while dispelling misconceptions about AI's role in interpretation. Convincing both communities of the symbiotic relationship between technology and human interpretation proved to be a formidable task.
Amidst these challenges, Signapse forged ahead with a shared vision of empowering the Deaf community and promoting accessibility on a global scale. Born during lockdown and officially launched in spring 2022, Signapse set out to revolutionise BSL interpretation by creating a lower-cost, accessible solution that ensures Deaf individuals can access services in their native language.
At the heart of Signapse's technology lies a commitment to authenticity and inclusivity. Leveraging AI-driven video generation techniques, Signapse creates a photo-realistic digital signer indistinguishable from a human signer, thereby providing an immersive and seamless signing experience. Rejecting graphical avatars in favour of a lifelike approach, Signapse ensures that its technology not only translates sign language but also preserves the nuances and cultural richness of the Deaf community.
Signapse's journey from concept to reality has been propelled by collaboration and innovation. With close ties to the University of Surrey's Centre for Vision, Speech, and Signal Processing (CVSSP), Signapse benefits from a rich ecosystem of research expertise and academic support. This collaborative partnership has facilitated groundbreaking advancements, including unconstrained translation for BSL and enhancements in AI-generated sign language videos.
The Future of AI in Sign Language Translation
Looking ahead, Signapse's vision remains as ambitious as ever. With plans to expand into the global video translation market and enhance Deaf accessibility on a global scale, Signapse is poised to continue breaking barriers and transforming lives.
In a world where communication is paramount, Signapse stands at the forefront of innovation, leading the charge towards a future where linguistic and cultural barriers are obsolete. By harnessing the power of AI and embracing the richness of sign language, Signapse is not merely revolutionising interpretation—it's revolutionising accessibility itself.
As the journey unfolds, one thing remains abundantly clear: the possibilities are limitless when passion, innovation, and inclusivity converge.
