Game changer: New Aussie start-up tech translates conversations in seconds

Lingmo International, an Australian technology start-up, has launched Translate One2One, an earpiece powered by IBM Watson.

The earpiece can translate spoken conversations within seconds.

Unveiled at last week's United Nations Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Good Summit in Switzerland, Translate One2One aims to help users overcome language barriers.

Translate One2One supports translations across English, Japanese, French, Italian, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, German and Chinese.

Moreover, the Translate One2One device doesn't rely on Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity.

IBM says the device overcomes many contextual challenges associated with common languages and understands the nuances of local slang and dialects.

For example, as IBM explains, in Spanish 'LL' could be pronounced "y", "j" or "sh", depending on the dialect.

"By eliminating the friction of the traditional translation process, devices like Translate One2One will not only remove one of the biggest challenges for professionals when meeting and collaborating between cultures, but also offers enormous potential for communities around the world," comments Danny May, Lingmo's founder and director.

"As the first device on the market for language translation using AI that does not rely on connectivity to operate, it offers significant potential for its unique application across airlines, foreign government relations and even not-for-profits working in remote areas."

The translation earpiece works when each user is wearing the earpiece and users can also download an app version.

"It's an absolute game-changer for the global translation market, offering significant potential for both commercial and social benefit, which we've only just begun to explore," says Neil Sahota, IBM Watson master inventor and keynote speaker at the Summit.

"Lingmo's latest breakthrough demonstrates the transformative potential that cognitive computing platforms like Watson can offer in solving some of the world's largest and most persistent challenges."