Ensenas Communicatiehulpmiddel by Saeli Seira Saenz and Alana Betanzo Carriles

Ensenas Communicatiehulpmiddel by Saeli Seira Saenz and Alana Betanzo Carriles is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2023 A' Design Award in IJzer in Sociaal Ontwerp Competition Category.

IJzerSociaal· 2023

Ensenas Communicatiehulpmiddel

by Saeli Seira Saenz and Alana Betanzo Carriles

Client: Universidad de Monterrey

A' Design Award in IJzer Winner in Sociaal Category

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The Design

About Ensenas Communicatiehulpmiddel

Ensenas is een digitale tool die is ontwikkeld om de communicatie tussen mensen met een gehoorbeperking en horende mensen in Mexico te verbeteren. Ensenas gebruikt een machine learning-model dat Mexicaanse gebarentaal in real time leest en woorden vertaalt naar geschreven Spaans. Het model is getraind met een dataset van 400 video's van gangbare gebaren, die frame voor frame zijn gelabeld en geanalyseerd door middel van pose-estimatie. Een responsieve website presenteert het project en biedt het onderzoek, het model en de dataset gratis ter download aan. Het doel is om de communicatiekloof te verkleinen.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in IJzer

Ensenas Communicatiehulpmiddel is winnaar van de A' Design Award in IJzer, een prestigieuze erkenning die wordt toegekend aan goede ontwerpen die voldoen aan de professionele en industriële eisen die worden verwacht van goed ontworpen creaties. Winnaars in IJzer tonen grote vaardigheid, hoge specialisatie, deskundig inzicht en het creatieve vermogen van hun makers. Ensenas Communicatiehulpmiddel wordt verwacht een hooggewaardeerde, bewonderde en gekoesterde creatie te zijn die praktisch en innovatief is. Dit ontwerp dat de A' Design Award in IJzer heeft gewonnen, integreert de beste praktijken uit de sector en heeft bekwame technische kenmerken die verbonden zijn met knowhow en talent. Ensenas Communicatiehulpmiddel wordt gerespecteerd om zijn grondigheid en is ontworpen om verbeteringen van de levenskwaliteit te bieden die helpen de wereld een betere plek te maken.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Likewise, thanks to technology and current tools, we were able to generate a Machine Learning model or tool which makes a real time reading of the Mexican Sign Language; where it is possible to solve the communication gap between people with hearing disabilities and people without such disability; avoiding that people make the effort to learn the Mexican Sign Language.
Dimensions & Packaging: This is a model in a website, whit a responsive design.
Tags: IA, Machine Learning, LSM, Data base, Service Design, education and tools, Sign Language,
Production Technology: We developed a model and data set of machine learning in order to create new tools and opportunities for people with hearing disabilities and make their lives easier through it. We created a platform in which anyone can learn more about the project and download the machine learning model.
Design Challenge: The first step in creating this project was the creation of a data set consisting of a collection of 400 videos of the most used words in the Mexican sign language. These were ordered by categorize and label individually.
The next step was the pose prediction process, in which the model analyzes the content of the data set analyzing frame by frame by means of ML pipe pose Estimation.
At the end of this estimation, our supervised learning model is able to detect patterns in the poses without the need for human intervention in order to identify which words, letters, numbers and phrases they belong to. To complete this process, a manual selection of frames was also performed in order to achieve a more accurate prediction of the signals.

In order to open this project to the public, a digital platform was created in which it is possible to freely download our research, the LSM recognition model, the data set generated so that other developers, technology companies, educational institutions can take advantage of our project and can create more inclusion tools for the non-hearing community.
Research: It is estimated that 5% of the world population, being 430 million people, will suffer a loss of disabling audio and in Mexico there are limited resources and tools to create an environment where everyone feels heard.
Following a design process, we conducted a series of interviews with experts, case studies and surveys to understand the perception of hearing impairment. We found that one of the limitations for the use of sign language is the learning curve.

We also found that some basic tasks for people with this disability can be more complicated than normal, which limits their independence. That's why we wanted to find a solution
inclusion to this problem.

This is Enseñas, an initiative that seeks inclusion through a digital tool made by through a machine learning model (LSM Model) with the purpose of creating a new way of
communication that facilitates the interaction between people with hearing disabilities and hearing people in real times. This model will be able to translate words from the Mexican sign language into Spanish written and vice versa in real time.
Inspiration: The lack of education and tools about Mexican Sign Language to improve the communication and experience of hearing impaired people in Mexico, has led us to create awareness and promote the inclusion of this problem through a digital platform.
Project Duration: 6 months on Universidad de Montery and Monterrey City in México
Team Members: Saeli Seira Sáenz
Alana Betanzo Carriles