AI-Powered Sign Language Translation App Wins Innovation Prize

Elly Savatia, a Kenyan entrepreneur, has been awarded the prestigious Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation for his groundbreaking application, Terp 360. This web-based app utilizes artificial intelligence and 3D avatars to provide real-time translation of speech and text into sign language, effectively eliminating the need for human interpreters.

Savatia's innovation addresses a critical challenge faced by the deaf community across Africa: the lack of accessible communication in essential services and professional environments. The shortage and high cost of human interpreters often result in deaf individuals being marginalized in healthcare, education, and employment sectors.

Terp 360's development involved collaboration with deaf and hard-of-hearing Kenyans to capture over 2,300 signs, including frequently used phrases and words. The team employed motion sensor technology to precisely record the spatial movements of signers' hands, ensuring accuracy in the avatar's representations.

Currently, the app facilitates translation from English and Swahili into Kenyan Sign Language. However, Savatia has ambitious plans to expand its capabilities to include other major African and global sign languages by mid-2027. This expansion strategy involves partnerships with local NGOs and news stations to access extensive visual sign language datasets.

The £50,000 ($67,000) prize, awarded by the UK's Royal Academy of Engineering, not only recognizes Savatia's innovative solution but also underscores the potential of African-led technologies to address global challenges. As Rebecca Enonchong, chair of the prize-judging panel, emphasized, Terp 360 exemplifies how cutting-edge technology can be harnessed to create solutions with far-reaching social impact, particularly in the realm of assistive technologies.