A team of students from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) has qualified for the Rice360 Global Health Technologies Design Competition. The team, named SignTalk, has been selected among the top 24 global teams to represent Bangladesh at this international competition, which will be held at the Rice University of USA this April.

The Rice360 competition is a premier platform for showcasing breakthroughs in health technologies designed by university students to address critical healthcare challenges. This year, more than a hundred teams participated, and 24 teams were selected for the global round. Teams are evaluated based on innovation, feasibility, and potential impact on global health outcomes, with winners receiving substantial funding and mentorship opportunities to further develop their solutions. 

SignTalk, consisting of Mahbub Ahmed Chowdhury, Susmita Jahan Supty, Rudra Sarker, and Irfan Nafiz Shahan, earned their spot by developing an AI-powered smart glove that translates sign language into speech in real time. The technology utilises a network of flex sensors embedded in a comfortable glove that captures hand movements, which are then processed by machine learning algorithms trained on thousands of sign language gestures. Within milliseconds, the system converts these movements into text and then audible speech, enabling seamless communication between deaf and mute individuals and those unfamiliar with sign language.

"Our technology bridges a critical communication gap for the estimated 400 million people in the world who rely on sign language," explains Mahbub Ahmed Chowdhury, team leader of SignTalk. "What makes our solution unique is its ability to recognise local sign language while remaining adaptable to other international sign language systems. The glove is very cost-effective as the competition emphasises low-cost high-impact solutions, making it accessible to everyone and practical for everyday use."

The team's qualification represents a significant milestone not only for SUST but also for Bangladesh's emerging presence in the global health technology innovation landscape. As they prepare to showcase their invention on an international stage, SignTalk wants to feature locally developed solutions that can address universal accessibility challenges while putting Bangladesh on the map for technological innovation.