The Ministry of Defence is trialling innovative smart glasses aimed at aiding those with hearing loss.
- These high-tech glasses project conversations onto the lenses in real time, assisting communication.
- The trial, occurring in Bristol, involves employees who often face communication barriers due to hearing difficulties.
- The glasses offer translation capabilities in over 90 languages, making them versatile and potentially widely beneficial.
- If successful, this initiative could expand to other government departments, enhancing inclusivity across the board.
The Ministry of Defence is conducting a three-month pilot programme with groundbreaking augmented reality glasses in Bristol, primarily aimed at employees with hearing difficulties. These glasses are designed to project real-time conversations onto the lens, thereby facilitating more inclusive dialogue and reducing the reliance on lip reading or British Sign Language interpreters. The trial takes place at MoD Abbey Wood, the headquarters of Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), and forms a part of a broader commitment to an inclusive working environment.
The glasses, priced at £900 per pair, can be customised to translate conversations into over 90 different languages, highlighting their potential utility across various linguistic contexts. This pilot programme holds significant promise for creating an adaptable communication tool that could eventually benefit multiple government departments. Andy Start, the chief executive of DE&S, emphasised the government’s dedication to ensuring that technology supports staff in maximising their professional capabilities.
Eight pairs of glasses are currently available, prioritised for members of the DE&S community who are deaf or have hearing loss under a £10,000 contract with the Canadian firm XRAI Glass. Catherine Wrigley, involved in helicopter safety governance, shared her enthusiasm about the glasses’ ability to display subtitles in her field of vision, reducing the distraction of determining the speaker in meetings. She noted how real-time captioning can be more accurate than existing solutions, minimising errors common with other subtitle software.
Chris Chennell, a senior architect involved in the project, is leading the trial with a mission to gather extensive feedback from users navigating various scenarios, including group meetings and environments with considerable background noise. The initial responses have been positive, suggesting a favourable reception among users. Chennell remains hopeful that the technology will prove a profound asset for staff members, assisting those with hearing challenges significantly.
This innovative approach not only aims to streamline communication but also represents a significant step towards inclusivity in the workplace. Should this trial demonstrate the expected benefits, it will mark a pivotal move in enhancing workplace accessibility and productivity within government sectors.
The trial of smart glasses by the Ministry of Defence heralds a potential breakthrough in supporting employees with hearing impairments.
