A student of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University has developed an artificial intelligence-powered smart glove designed to translate sign language into real-time speech, offering a communication solution for people with speech and hearing impairments.
The innovation, known as the NHED Smart Glove, was developed by Muhammad Habib Husaini, a Computer and Communication Engineering student at the university.
The wearable device uses pressure sensors and a microcontroller to detect hand and finger movements before converting them into spoken words in real time. According to Husaini, the prototype was designed and built from scratch in his university dormitory.
The project aims to make communication more accessible and affordable for people with speech and hearing disabilities by enabling them to express themselves verbally through sign language gestures.
“With the NHED Smart Glove, we are not just building a device; we are restoring dignity and bridging gaps in communication” – Husaini
Husaini said the idea was inspired by his younger sister, who was born unable to speak, motivating him to develop a solution that could improve communication for people facing similar challenges.
The NHED Smart Glove have the potential to support communication in schools, healthcare facilities, workplaces and public spaces, improving accessibility for millions of people living with speech and hearing impairments.
