SignGlasses

SignGlasses develops specialized smart glasses and an integrated platform that provide real-time sign language interpretation and captioning. Their patented technology allows users to view live interpretation or captions directly superimposed over their environment, ensuring seamless and accessible communication. The system supports both live-streamed and pre-recorded media, offering a portable and flexible solution that can also accommodate prescription lenses.

The company was established in 2017, emerging from Brigham Young University. The foundational insight stemmed from the communication barriers encountered by Deaf individuals during an exhibit tour, which highlighted the critical need for more effective and integrated accessibility tools. This experience spurred the development of a solution to enhance communication for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

SignGlasses serves a diverse user base, including students and educators in academic settings, professionals in the workplace, and attendees at various venues seeking inclusive experiences. The company aims to level the playing field for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals by offering comprehensive interpreting and captioning services, fostering an environment of greater understanding and accessibility across multiple domains.

High-Level Overview

SignGlasses is a technology company that develops smart glasses and a complementary platform to deliver on-demand sign language interpretation and captioning services, primarily enhancing accessibility for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals.[1][6][8] It serves students, educators, workplaces, venues like museums and planetariums, and organizations needing real-time communication support in settings such as education, business, medical, and legal contexts.[6][7][8] The product solves the problem of communication barriers by providing seamless, wearable interpretation that overlays live sign language or captions directly into the user's field of view, with options for two-way interaction, pre-recorded media, and integration with existing staff or video platforms.[1][6] Growth momentum includes patented technology, partnerships with universities and businesses for sponsored access, and expansion into certified interpreter networks and remote job opportunities.[1][5][7]

Origin Story

SignGlasses was founded in 2017 at Brigham Young University (BYU) by a team inspired by challenges faced by Deaf individuals during an exhibit tour, leading to interviews with students to identify key accessibility needs.[1][7][9] Korey Hocker, the CEO, drove the initiative to improve academic experiences for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.[9] The idea evolved from this grassroots effort into a broader platform, incorporating feedback from the Deaf community to pioneer smart glasses for sign language delivery, alongside software for scheduling, user management, and study tools.[1][6][7] Early traction came from BYU's entrepreneurial ecosystem, with pivotal moments including securing patents for the technology and shifting focus to partnerships with decision-makers in education and workplaces.[1][7]

Core Differentiators

• Patented Smart Glasses Technology: Lightweight, portable glasses display live sign language interpretation, captions, or pre-populated media overlaid on the real-world environment, with prescription lens options, Wi-Fi-independent playback, and adjustable positioning in the user's view.[1][6][7]
• Versatile Platform: Includes scheduling tools, interpreter/captioner networks, lecture capture, searchable transcripts, and compatibility with any video conferencing platform or in-house staff, supporting both one-way and two-way communication.[6][8]
• Certified and Compliant Services: Network of top-tier, background-checked interpreters and captioners for diverse sectors, ensuring privacy, accuracy, and adherence to federal/state regulations.[6][8]
• User-Centric and Inclusive Design: Intuitive for non-tech users, complements existing resources, and emphasizes Deaf community feedback, with values like "Humans First" fostering empathy and collective progress.[1][6]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

SignGlasses rides the wave of wearable AI and AR for accessibility, aligning with trends in inclusive edtech and remote interpretation amplified by post-pandemic hybrid learning and work.[6][7][8] Timing is ideal amid rising demand for universal design in education—where Deaf students often lack seamless participation—and regulatory pushes for ADA compliance in venues and businesses.[1][6][8] Market forces like advancing smart glasses hardware (e.g., lightweight AR displays) and interpreter shortages favor its model, which scales access without onsite dependency.[6][7] It influences the ecosystem by partnering with organizations to sponsor devices/services, normalizing on-demand accessibility and inspiring similar tech for other disabilities.[7]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

SignGlasses is poised to expand beyond education into enterprise and public venues, leveraging patents to dominate AR-based interpretation as glasses hardware matures and AI enhances real-time translation.[1][6][7] Trends like multimodal AI (combining vision, voice, and gesture) and global inclusivity mandates will accelerate adoption, potentially integrating with ecosystems like Apple Vision Pro or Meta's Orion. Its influence could evolve from niche provider to standard for "anytime, anywhere" accessibility, empowering Deaf communities while redefining human connection in a barrier-free world—echoing its founding mission to transcend limits.[1][2]