Ishan Goyal, Parth, and Adhivik Jain, students of Bal Bharati Public School were deeply engaged in a conversation about devising a standardized communication language for individuals with hearing impairment. Ishan, whose grandmother had difficulty hearing despite using a hearing aid, faced numerous challenges in communicating with her.
Little did the trio know that their conversation would lead to the conception of an innovative solution for the hearing impaired. Ishan suggested the creation of a band equipped with a display and a microphone that could convert verbal communication into text and project it onto a screen. This band, which could operate without internet connectivity through a device like a Raspberry Pi Zero, would facilitate the translation of spoken language into written text. Moreover, it would help the hearing-impaired enhance their speaking abilities and coherence by displaying their part of the conversation. They named this revolutionary device “Soundware.”
The team intends to develop two versions of the band. The first version will be a large-scale display that can be utilized in institutions like schools and offices. The other version will be a personalized model that enables improved one-to-one communication. As they aim to expand their project, the team plans to introduce different variations of the wearable device. The basic model will only offer translation and a few fundamental features, while the higher-end versions will have additional features, making them similar to smartwatches.
The model of the band is engineered to minimize expenses for a significant number of users. Rather than having each student’s device individually translate and display the text, the model will only use a central controller with wireless displays for the students to read from. The team aims to diversify the product range and brand by introducing high-quality components that ensure the reliability and longevity of the products they market. Additionally, to assist financially disadvantaged consumers, the team proposes a yearly subscription model at a reasonable fee.
