The NEC Tele Scouter is a curious cyborg-inspired wearable gadget that, according to Technabob, translates written words and shows them in the user’s peripheral vision on a small TelePrompTer-like display.
NEC indicates that this wearable computer is meant for engineers and other workers who rely on manuals or written guides to do hands-on work. The NEC Tele Scouter will allow a supervisor to send bits and pieces of these manuals to as many as 30 users at once.
The company warns that the translation capabilities of the NEC Tele Scouter are not reliable enough for real-time speech applications, but imagine the 2.0 version of this wearable computer. Businesses could send employees to network internationally armed with the NEC Tele Scouter without fear of a language barrier or compromising the invaluable face-to-face connection that is so important in many cultures.
The NEC Tele Scouter systems will go on sale in 2010, but as is with any brand-new technology, their cost will be astronomical—Technabob says that a setup meant for 30 users will cost a hefty ¥750 million, or about $8.3 million. The NEC Tele Scouter isn’t the first gadget that’s working to break down the language barrier. Check out more images of the NEC Tele Scouter in the gallery above, and keep clicking for other translators we’ve featured at Trend Hunter.
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Cyborg Translators
NEC Tele Scouter Computer Turns Text into a Retinal Display (UPDATE)
Trend Themes
1. Wearable Translation Gadgets - The rise of cyborg-inspired wearables such as the NEC Tele Scouter opens up opportunities for disruptive innovations in wearable translation gadgets.
2. Language Barrier Breakers - The development of gadgets like the NEC Tele Scouter has kickstarted the race to create real-time translation capabilities and break down language barriers in business and personal settings alike.
3. Manual Translation - Technologies like the NEC Tele Scouter pave the way for hands-free manual translation, allowing workers in industries such as engineering to perform complicated tasks without the need for constant interruption to look at manuals.
Industry Implications
1. Wearable Tech - As developments in cyborg-inspired wearable technology such as the NEC Tele Scouter continue, the wearable tech industry will continue to grow and innovate.
2. Translation Services - As the demand for real-time language translation continues to rise, the translation services industry will need to adapt and innovate to stay relevant.
3. Engineering and Manufacturing - The NEC Tele Scouter and similar technologies are poised to revolutionize manual-based industries such as engineering and manufacturing, allowing for hands-free access to vital information and greater efficiency.