Computer-generated sign language commentary at NHK

In 2009, Japan’s public media NHK, designed an ambitious plan to provide universal services. At the heart of the plan stood automated and real-time sign language commentary. NHK’s research arm, STRL,1 started upon this futuristic drive to reach all categories of audience, including the blind, deaf, hard of hearing, visually impaired together with elderly viewers and people whose first language is not Japanese. The goal was to provide state-of-the-art accessibility services.