It is always hard or impossible to understand someone who is speaking in a foreign language. If there were an easy way for two people to continuously, communicate without difficulties it would be extremely useful for everything from airports, hospitals to mixed-language underground bunker situation. Luckily, thanks to a New York-based company- Wavery lab, we are on the verge of having an earpiece termed as Pilot that can translate foreign languages instantly.
The earphone acts in a similar manner like Babel Fish in ‘Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy’ that allowed two people speaking different languages understand each other. The pilot works by being connected to two different people who are speaking different languages and translate what they are saying in the users’ ear. Pilot is the first ‘smart earpiece’ designed and capable of translating between two languages.
Waverly Labs noted that this little wearable uses translation technology to allow two people speaking different languages to understand each other clearly. Users will need a phone to pair with the earpiece that seems to send phrases to a translation service that instantly play them back.
Waverly Labs noted that the idea came from one of their technicians after meeting a French girl and wanted to communicate with her. Once the gadget launchs in autumn this year, it will translate into English, Spanish, French, and Italian.
The first generation of Pilot only works between two people wearing the earpiece though the company hopes to make another that will translate everything happening around a user in a foreign country.
The company is expected to launch a crowdfunding campaign in Indiegogo, where people will have the chance to try this technology by pre-ordering it for between $129 and $179 though once launched, it is expected to retail between $250 and $300. Pilot will come in three colors, and the pre-orders start from May 25th.
Other companies have also been heading toward real-time translation. Google Translate app can translate what a user is saying to the phone, from one language to another in real-time. Skype also now translate between callers speaking different language catering for up to seven callers. Microsoft has claimed that in the next few year we will be in a position of translating any language to any other language with just the use of a smartphone.
Featured Image cradit:telegraph
