Communication can be interpreted in many forms. It can be done through messages, letters, verbally, and even through sign language. However, while the other means of communications might be frequently used worldwide, sign language is a barrier that can be understood only by a few and not by many. But then, to bridge the gap between sign language and help a person using only sign language communicate with others, a company specializes in making this medium of communication quite understandable. The company is SignAll Technologies ZRT.
SignAll Technologies ZRT is a company that is focused primarily on sign language communication and integrates AI and machine learning to translate all communication made through the sign to understandable sentences. It’s quite an interesting approach as its applications span multiple places and make it easier for people to communicate and understand sign language easily. The application works by analyzing the body movements, facial expressions, and hand shapes to formulate the sign language conversation and translate that to understandable sentences. Speaking with the marketing and communications manager of SignAll Technologies ZRT, Zaryana Lisitsa, Venture Mirror had a unique experience learning about the product and its capabilities. To know more about how the interview went, we have provided it below.
What is the startup / product / venture about? Give us a brief description of it.
SignAll Technologies ZRT. is a pioneer in sign language technology, employing computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI) for a range of solutions most notably in education and to create inclusive workplaces and accessible businesses.
At the beginning, when developing its multifaceted sign language recognition technology, SignAll focused its efforts on creating an automated translation system to enable automated and instant translation between American Sign Language (ASL) and English. The technology paved the way for a range of other products. All of the listed products are already available on the market
For Communication: SignAll Chat
For Education: SignAll Learn, SignAll Online
For Developers: SDK – a sign recognition product for developers
For Everybody: Mobile App Ace ASL – The first AI-based app to provide immediate feedback on signing
How many co-founders are there?
Zsolt Robotka and Janos Rovnyai
How did you come up with the idea? What motivated you to do this?
In 2012, a team of an award-winning computer vision company, Dolphio, witnessed hardships faced by their Deaf colleague. A group of enthusiasts within the company became inspired to use their technological expertise to develop solutions for sign language translation. The team began the process of product validation and quickly secured funding for its research and development (R&D) phase by an EU grant. As a result of the grant, the company delivered the first prototype. At this stage, in 2016, the working group spun-off from Dolphio, established SignAll Technologies and raised about 1,5 million euro of investments in the first round.
Who is your target market? Why do you think your product will appeal to them?
Our products are very different, each has its very own market.
Country-wise our primary market is the US. We also see interest in Canada, EU and other countries that are either interested in the products as they are or want to localize them.
SignAll Chat is demanded by businesses and nonprofits that care about inclusion and want to be accessible.
SignAll Learn is used in high schools, colleges, and universities throughout the US. It is also used by businesses that teach their employees ASL (see our two recent publications on the website – December 2020 – Deutsche Telekom and May 2021 – Boeing)
SignAll Online can be used as an online tool for ASL learning and practicing by SignAll Learn Lab users (the account works for both systems) and by students not associated with clients for SignAll Learn Lab.
SignAll SDK is a tool for developers who can make any software ASL-receptive, making devices not only voice-managed, but also sign-managed.
Mobile App Ace ASL can be used by anyone, who has a device with a frontal camera. It is used for learning and practicing ASL for academic purposes or entertainment.
Who are your competitors? How are you different from them?
Competition makes sense when we talk about products.
SignAll Chat is an Automated ASL-English translation. Our product is the only one on the market. The same applies to SignAll SDK – a product for developers which makes every device ASL-friendly, the same way as it is voice managed now.
SignAll Learn Lab and Ace ASL – both the offline workstation and the mobile app are the only products in the ASL learning domain that offer two-way interaction – user to machine and machine to user. SignAll’s workstation and the mobile app analyze and give feedback to users’ signatures. The accuracy of the offline system is about 94%.
SignAll Online is an online ASL video library that offers the widest vocabulary. It can be aligned with the offline system and show students’ progress to ASL teachers, meaning it works as a remote tool for ASL learning in academic setup. The value of this feature is impossible to overestimate in times of hybrid mode of education.
What are the future plans with the product/startup? Any new features you are planning on?
Our plants fully align with the company’s vision, which is
SignAll will make sign language broadly known and interpretation universally available, revolutionizing the way people communicate with people and machines
We want all the products and devices that have spoken language input to incorporate sign language.