Translation device aims to help UK troops
By staff and agencies
31/05/2007
The Telegraph
A translation device worn like a wristwatch has been designed by a student from Baghdad to help British soldiers overcome language barriers in potentially life-threatening situations in Iraq.
Mr Ismail: 'It was my way of thanking British soldiers for their honourable work'
Voice recognition-based technology would aid troops and civilians in high-risk and "hot zone" situations by translating buzz phrases such as "Don't shoot", "Stay back" and "Help will be here soon".
The device is still a work-in-progress but research found an enthusiastic response from the front line. Funding and a patent are now needed to produce the equipment, unveiled today at the University of Derby by inventor Amin Ismail.
The student, who fled Iraq before the war, came up with the idea with product design senior lecturer Karl Hurn for his final year project.
Mr Ismail said: "One reason I wanted to undertake this project was because it was my way of thanking British soldiers for their honourable work, people who are abandoning themselves from their loved ones to bring freedom to Iraqi people.
"Secondly, it is to improve the communication between soldiers and Iraqi people in high-risk situations where any misunderstandings might lead to a tragedy.
"If this device can help save innocent lives in a conflict situation then that has to be good."
Arabic-English translations are proposed but the device could also incorporate other languages, said Mr Ismail.
He met soldiers at the 4th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, based in Leeds, during his research.
Lte Col Ben Baldwin, commanding officer of the 4th Battalion, said: "This innovation is unique and will provide an interface with the local population improving the way we communicate, while at the same time enhancing the protection of the civilian community and the soldiers who have the task of improving the security within the environment in which they operate."
One of his serving soldiers, recently returned from duty in Iraq, said: "This device is just what we need. We would be able to communicate freely with the locals, without having to rely on an interpreter.
"We could move people to safety quickly. The device would save lives and would help improve the trust and loyalty with the local population."
Mr Ismail used a questionnaire to run the idea past soldiers in Iraq. The study found 87 per cent would welcome the idea of a device which could translate key words in all languages.
Two-thirds of the 50 Iraqi citizens polled said they would be "happy or not mind" communicating with British soldiers through such a device.
Mr Ismail, 21, from Derby, is originally from Baghdad but was forced to flee Iraq in 2002 ahead of the imminent war. At that time, he had just finished the first year of a mechanical engineering course at Baghdad University.
Mr Hurn said: "It is an excellent project and Amin knows about the cultural sensitivities and needs of his fellow people in Iraq, as well as the culture he has familiarised himself with in the UK.
"This project explores how troops and civilians can communicate more effectively, especially at combat and high-risk situations and the research was also very good. It would be great for Amin to be able to take this work further forward."
telegraph.co.uk
By staff and agencies
31/05/2007
The Telegraph
A translation device worn like a wristwatch has been designed by a student from Baghdad to help British soldiers overcome language barriers in potentially life-threatening situations in Iraq.
Mr Ismail: 'It was my way of thanking British soldiers for their honourable work'
Voice recognition-based technology would aid troops and civilians in high-risk and "hot zone" situations by translating buzz phrases such as "Don't shoot", "Stay back" and "Help will be here soon".
The device is still a work-in-progress but research found an enthusiastic response from the front line. Funding and a patent are now needed to produce the equipment, unveiled today at the University of Derby by inventor Amin Ismail.
The student, who fled Iraq before the war, came up with the idea with product design senior lecturer Karl Hurn for his final year project.
Mr Ismail said: "One reason I wanted to undertake this project was because it was my way of thanking British soldiers for their honourable work, people who are abandoning themselves from their loved ones to bring freedom to Iraqi people.
"Secondly, it is to improve the communication between soldiers and Iraqi people in high-risk situations where any misunderstandings might lead to a tragedy.
"If this device can help save innocent lives in a conflict situation then that has to be good."
Arabic-English translations are proposed but the device could also incorporate other languages, said Mr Ismail.
He met soldiers at the 4th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, based in Leeds, during his research.
Lte Col Ben Baldwin, commanding officer of the 4th Battalion, said: "This innovation is unique and will provide an interface with the local population improving the way we communicate, while at the same time enhancing the protection of the civilian community and the soldiers who have the task of improving the security within the environment in which they operate."
One of his serving soldiers, recently returned from duty in Iraq, said: "This device is just what we need. We would be able to communicate freely with the locals, without having to rely on an interpreter.
"We could move people to safety quickly. The device would save lives and would help improve the trust and loyalty with the local population."
Mr Ismail used a questionnaire to run the idea past soldiers in Iraq. The study found 87 per cent would welcome the idea of a device which could translate key words in all languages.
Two-thirds of the 50 Iraqi citizens polled said they would be "happy or not mind" communicating with British soldiers through such a device.
Mr Ismail, 21, from Derby, is originally from Baghdad but was forced to flee Iraq in 2002 ahead of the imminent war. At that time, he had just finished the first year of a mechanical engineering course at Baghdad University.
Mr Hurn said: "It is an excellent project and Amin knows about the cultural sensitivities and needs of his fellow people in Iraq, as well as the culture he has familiarised himself with in the UK.
"This project explores how troops and civilians can communicate more effectively, especially at combat and high-risk situations and the research was also very good. It would be great for Amin to be able to take this work further forward."
telegraph.co.uk
