High-tech AR glasses are being trialed by the Ministry of Defence for employees with hearing difficulties.
- The glasses project real-time conversations onto the lens, potentially reducing reliance on lip reading and interpreters.
- A three-month pilot at MoD Abbey Wood in Bristol aims to evaluate the effectiveness of this technology.
- Translation capabilities across 90 languages are included, broadening accessibility.
- Initial feedback shows promise for improving communication in noisy or group settings.
High-tech augmented reality (AR) glasses are under trial by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), aiming to enhance the communication capabilities of employees with hearing difficulties. These glasses project conversations directly onto the lens, allowing users to engage more naturally in discussions without the need for lip reading or sign language interpreters.
The pilot program is taking place at MoD Abbey Wood, the Bristol headquarters of Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S). This trial, lasting three months, is part of an initiative to determine the feasibility of these glasses in improving workplace conditions for employees with hearing impairments.
The glasses, priced at £900 per pair, boast the ability to translate conversations into over 90 languages. Such a feature broadens their potential application beyond the immediate need, offering solutions for multilingual communication challenges within governmental departments.
According to Andy Start, DE&S Chief Executive, the aim is to foster an inclusive environment where technological innovations enable all employees to perform optimally. The glasses were developed under a £10,000 contract with Canada-based XRAI Glass, and eight sets will be prioritized for DE&S’s community experiencing hearing loss.
Catherine Wrigley, involved in helicopter safety governance, emphasizes the practical benefits by noting that having subtitles within her line of vision eliminates the ‘tennis match’ effect during meetings as she searches for the speaker. She criticizes existing subtitle software for inaccuracies and looks forward to greater precision in real-time transcriptions.
The trial is led by Chris Chennell, a senior architect in DE&S’s digital delivery team. His experience, despite not having hearing issues himself, underscores a commitment to understanding and resolving the challenges faced by those with hearing impairments. Initial responses have been encouraging, highlighting the potential of these glasses to significantly aid in communication.
The trial will comprehensively analyze the glasses’ performance in various scenarios, including one-on-one conversations, group discussions, and environments with considerable background noise. Gathering this data is critical for deciding whether this technology should be adopted on a broader scale.
The MoD’s trial of AR glasses could pave the way for enhanced communication solutions for employees with hearing impairments.
