Many of the 32 million deaf children in the world struggle to read. Using the power of AI, Huawei has created StorySign, a free app that helps open the world of books to deaf children.
This is how it works. First, the child or parent opens the app and clicks on the selected book from the StorySign library. Then they hold their phone up to the words on the page, and our friendly avatar, Star, signs the story as the printed words are highlighted. This allows parents and children to learn to sign and read together, at their own pace.
StorySign is powered by Huawei AI, supported by charities including the European Union of the Deaf and the British Deaf Association, designed by Aardman Animations, with a classic children’s books from Penguin Random House.
Meet the Star of StorySign
The friendly avatar, Star, has been designed by Aardman Animations to bring books to life through sign language. Working with their charity partners, Huawei used state-of-the-art motion capture technology to ensure that Star’s facial expressions and hands deliver perfect sign language, so that deaf children can be as entertained by a wonderful story as their hearing friends.
As part of Huawei’s campaign to raise awareness of deaf literacy, they created a powerful Christmas story, directed by Academy Award®-winner Chris Overton, and starring Maisie Sly from The Silent Child.
Chris Overton, Academy Award®-winning director said:
I’m really excited to be directing this magical Christmas tale for Huawei’s StorySign.”
Discovering the magic of story time in Lapland
For deaf children around the world, Christmas can be a very different experience. So to celebrate the launch of StorySign, Huawei invited deaf children and their families to Lapland for a once-in-a-lifetime trip and a Christmas they’ll never forget. From story time, to reindeer sleigh rides, signing with elves and of course meeting Santa himself.
