NEC has developed a groundbreaking new device that will automatically translate spoken word and then display the translation in your own native language onto a tiny retinal display in front of your eye.
NEC expects to begin shipping in 2010, but it’s not going to be cheap. NEC is estimating it will cost around 750 million yen ($8.16m) for thirty members of staff… ouch.
Introducing the Tele Scouter
The prototype device called a “Tele Scouter” is a glasses-type display that translates the foreign language being spoken by a partner and projects the translation onto a tiny retinal display.
The device mounted on an eyeglass frame consists of the retinal display, front-mounted camera, and microphone, but doesn’t perform the translation itself. Rather, the microphone picks up the conversation and transmits it to a portable computer worn on the user’s waist. This computer, in turn, transmits the information to a remote server, which is responsible for carrying out the heavy processing of converting the speech to text, translating it, and sending it back to the wearable parts of the system to be displayed on the retinal display.
How the Tele Scouter Works
The Tele Scouter is designed to revolutionize the way we communicate across language barriers. The device itself is lightweight and designed to be worn comfortably like a pair of glasses. The front-mounted camera captures the visual context of the conversation, while the microphone picks up the audio. This data is then sent to a portable computer, which is small enough to be worn on the user’s waist without causing any inconvenience.
The portable computer acts as an intermediary, sending the captured audio to a remote server. This server is equipped with advanced speech recognition and translation software. The server processes the audio, converts it into text, translates it into the desired language, and sends the translated text back to the portable computer. Finally, the translated text is projected onto the retinal display, allowing the user to read the translation in real-time.
Potential Applications and Impact
The Tele Scouter has a wide range of potential applications. In business settings, it can facilitate international meetings and negotiations by breaking down language barriers. Tourists can use it to navigate foreign countries more easily, understanding signs, menus, and conversations without needing a human translator. In educational environments, it can help students and teachers communicate more effectively in multilingual classrooms.
Moreover, the Tele Scouter can be a valuable tool for emergency services and healthcare providers. Imagine a doctor being able to understand a patient’s symptoms in their native language without needing an interpreter. This could lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses and treatments.
However, the high cost of the device, estimated at 750 million yen for thirty units, may limit its initial adoption to large corporations and government agencies. Over time, as the technology becomes more widespread and production costs decrease, it could become more accessible to the general public.
Challenges and Future Developments
While the Tele Scouter represents a significant technological advancement, there are still challenges to overcome. The accuracy of speech recognition and translation can vary depending on the complexity of the language and the clarity of the audio. Additionally, the reliance on a remote server for processing means that a stable internet connection is essential for the device to function effectively.
Future developments may focus on improving the accuracy and speed of translations, as well as reducing the cost of the device. Advances in artificial intelligence and machine learning could lead to more sophisticated translation algorithms, making the Tele Scouter even more reliable and versatile.
The Tele Scouter by NEC is a promising innovation that has the potential to transform global communication. While it may be expensive initially, its applications in various fields make it a valuable investment. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more impressive developments in the realm of real-time translation devices.
Via Neatorama
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