A Pocket Interpreter for the Deaf Community
More than 70 million people around the world use sign language. Yet professional interpreters remain scarce, especially outside urban centers. British startup Silence Speaks is stepping in with an ambitious solution: an AI-powered avatar that translates text into sign language, giving deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals a digital interpreter they can carry anywhere.
Developed with Deaf Engineers, for Deaf Users
Founded by former Vodafone AI architect Pavan Madduru, the company began three years ago with a clear goal: make communication easier for the deaf. The turning point came from a personal experience—traveling with a deaf friend and witnessing, in real time, the communication gaps that can become barriers.
Rather than merely building tech for the community, Madduru brought in deaf full-stack engineers from the start. This decision shaped a product rooted in lived experience and authenticity. The result is a signing avatar that not only translates text into British Sign Language (BSL) and American Sign Language (ASL), but also captures emotional tone and regional dialects.
From Stations to Classrooms: Scaling Access
One early win? A partnership with Transport for London. Silence Speaks will bring real-time, AI-powered sign language announcements to over 250 train stations. Commuters will be able to scan a QR code and receive up-to-date information in BSL via video—a seamless fix for a long-standing issue.
The company’s technology is also being used in greeting cards. Through QR codes embedded in each card, recipients can view personalized signed video messages. Businesses can customize their avatars, from photorealistic faces to playful cartoons—even superheroes.
Next Stop: Real-Time Translation
While the current system works in the cloud and takes a few moments to generate translations, real-time, on-device translation is the next big target. The team is working toward this milestone with high standards for accuracy, a challenge they expect to tackle within a year.
For users who don’t sign, Silence Speaks includes captioning support, aiming for accessibility across the spectrum of hearing loss.
Beyond the Product: A Movement
Chloe Smith, former UK science and innovation secretary and advocate for the 2022 BSL legislation, recently joined as board chair. She believes the tech could revolutionize communication across workplaces and schools, where deaf communities often face isolation.
With over 50,000 deaf students in UK mainstream education and 85% of deaf professionals reporting exclusion at work, tools like these can bridge more than just a language gap—they can transform access to opportunity.
For more on inclusive sign language technology, read about Project SignON’s collaborative approach to developing sign language translation tools.
