New glasses bridge the language gap

November 3, 2009

No talent for languages? It will soon be possible to just throw on a pair of Tele Scouter translation glasses and become a polyglot instantly.

Japanese manufacturer NEC has created a pair of glasses that feature a small microphone, a computer worn at the waist and a camera, the Telegraph reports. The microphone picks up what those around you are saying, sends the info to the computer and then translates the language to text in your native tongue.

The words are projected directly onto the retina of the eye. Script appears in the user's peripheral vision, so that the wearer can maintain eye contact and stay engaged in the conversation, according to the news source.

The device is designed to be as lightweight and energy efficient as possible, but NEC admits that the translation capabilities are currently limited.

Until the gadget is ready to translate in the real world (the device is currently slated to be released in 2010) the NEC plans to market the technology as a hand-free data display with other practical applications. Technicians and engineers could use the glasses to read instructions while installing or repairing hardware, Gizmag.com reports.