Translation device shortlists design student 04 June 2008
A Wrist-mounted translation device developed by a Derby graduate has put the University of Derby in the running for a prestigious award.
While studying there, design graduate Amin Ismail came up with the prototype for the Ahky - Arabic for "speak".
The device is intended to help soldiers and uniformed civilians interpret key foreign phrases in emergency situations.
It can instantly convert such phrases, such as "Stay back" and "Don't shoot", from English into Arabic.
The university collaborated with Civil Defence Supply Ltd, of Lincoln, to develop the product. It is this work that has now put it in the running for the Lord Stafford Awards East Midlands.
The awards, established in 1997 in the West Midlands, recognise and encourage collaborations between businesses and universities.
They are being held for the first time this year in the East Midlands.
Derby is one of five universities shortlisted in the innovation in development category.
Mr Ismail, who was born in Iraq, landed a job with CDS thanks to his invention.
The multi-million-pound company supplies special operational equipment to police forces, Nato, the UN, the US Defence Department and the UK's Ministry of Defence.
Director of CDS Eran Bauer said:
"The translator is now ready for the market and Amin is a key member of that team. We have successfully married this student's novel ideas to our designs and made a world-class device that can radically change the way people integrate with those of different cultures."
The university's business development manager, Robin Pratt, said:
"Amin's development is truly innovative and will bring tangible benefits to key organisations such as the police, who can face language barriers during their work."
Award winners will be announced on September 11 at a dinner at Goosedale conferencing and banqueting centre, Nottinghamshire.
The winners of each category will receive £5,000.
Source: Derbyshire Evening Telegraph
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