AR Smart-glasses revolutionise conversation for the deaf community
Introducing the XRAI smart glasses, set to revolutionise communication for those with partial or complete loss of hearing.
The first-of-its-kind product aims to enable the deaf community to engage in everyday conversations.. The software’s sophisticated voice recognition capabilities can identify who’s speaking and will soon have the power to translate languages, voice tones, accents, and pitch.
Steve Crump, Founder and Chair, DeafKidz International said “As a profoundly deaf person myself, I was blown away by this technology. When I tried on the glasses, I was astonished – real time subtitles that enable you to engage and participate as never before. I see XRAI Glass as a hugely positive force, and I can’t wait to work with the team to help bring this to life.”
XRAI Glass is a pioneering software product with a mission to enrich conversation for hundreds of millions of people around the world who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Users wearing phone-tethered augmented reality ‘AR’ smart glasses will be able to read speech in real-time through closed captioning. The XRAI Glass software converts audio into a subtitled version of conversation which will then appear on the user’s glasses screen. The software’s sophisticated voice recognition capabilities can identify who’s speaking and will soon have the power to translate languages, voice tones, accents, and pitch.
XRAI Glass has formed a strategic partnership with consumer-ready AR glasses company nreal. The glasses will be available online to purchase by EE network customers for an upfront cost of £10 then £35 per month for 11 months or at EE stores nationwide for non-EE customers for £399.99. There will be no cost for the software during the public preview and the price following the public preview will be based on feedback from pilot users.
There are plans for wider rollout across other major devices and networks in the coming months.
During the public preview, the software will initially be available to a group of pilot users using the Google Play Store pre-flight experience. The trial period will last 2 months where the team will continuously listen and learn from its users, expanding the AI capabilities and intuitive properties of the software to provide the very best service. In the future, the software will move beyond the realm of audio into a multi-modal transcription experience.
The addressable market for this software is vast. 12 million adults in the UK are affected by hearing loss greater than 25 dbHL (decibels Hearing Level . This number is set to increase to 14.2 million adults by 2035.
XRAI Glass also has ambitions to reach other markets where the software could prove helpful. Sectors include hospitality, law enforcement and education.
Commenting on the launch, Dan Scarfe, XRAI Glass CEO said “This is a momentous day for our team. We are so proud of the ability this innovative technology to enrich the lives of the deaf community so that they can maximise potential. Whether that means being able to have a conversation while continuing to make dinner or keeping a conversation going while walking with a friend.
Mark Atkinson, CEO, RNID said “This is a great example of the positive difference innovative technology can make for people who are deaf or have hearing loss. At RNID we are excited about the potential for technology to transform the lives of our communities.
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