Researchers in South Korea have created a system of seven smart rings that translate American Sign Language and International Sign Language into text. The wearable device interprets hand and finger motions more effectively than cameras or gloves, according to a new study. It aims to bridge communication gaps for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
A team from Yonsei University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology designed the rings to capture precise finger positions and hand movements. Published Friday in the journal Science Advances, the study shows the system reliably recognized 100 ASL and ISL words during testing. It worked well with new users without recalibration and produced sentence-level translations by detecting words in sequence, without grammar training. The rings detect both static signs like 'I' and 'you,' and dynamic ones such as 'dance,' 'fly,' and 'sun.'ASL and ISL serve over 72 million deaf and hard-of-hearing people worldwide, yet most hearing individuals know few or no words in these languages. This often complicates everyday tasks like ordering food or seeking assistance. Existing prototypes, such as bulky gloves or camera systems, hinder natural movement or require controlled setups, limiting adoption, the researchers noted.The authors highlight the device's potential for barrier-free public translation and daily assistive interfaces. 'These advances suggest that [the device could enable] barrier-free public translation systems for unseen users and unrestricted daily assistive interfaces,' they wrote. Beyond sign language, the wireless, modular design could extend to virtual reality controls, touchless interfaces, and rehabilitation monitoring.
