What's Happening?
Elly Savatia, a young innovator from Kenya, has developed an AI-powered application called Terp 360 that translates speech and text into Kenyan Sign Language using realistic 3D avatars. This innovation aims to bridge communication barriers for the deaf
community, allowing seamless interaction between deaf and hearing individuals without the need for human interpreters. The app was launched under Savatia's startup, Signvrse, in 2023 and is built on a dataset of over 2,300 locally recorded signs. The project has been developed in collaboration with Kenya's deaf community to ensure linguistic and cultural accuracy. Savatia's work has earned him the 2025 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, highlighting the app's impact across Kenya and the continent.
Why It's Important?
The development of Terp 360 is significant as it addresses systemic barriers in education, healthcare, and workplaces for the deaf community. By providing sign language translation at scale, the app enables companies and institutions to overcome the financial and logistical challenges of hiring interpreters. This innovation not only enhances accessibility but also promotes inclusivity, allowing deaf individuals to participate more fully in society. The expansion of Terp 360 to additional African and global sign languages by 2027 could further broaden its impact, potentially transforming communication for millions of deaf individuals worldwide.
What's Next?
Signvrse plans to expand Terp 360 to include additional African and global sign languages by 2027, supported by a motion-capture studio in Nairobi capable of recording up to 1,000 words per day. This expansion could lead to increased adoption of the app across different regions, enhancing communication and accessibility for diverse deaf communities. As the platform grows, it may attract further collaborations with international organizations and tech companies, potentially leading to new innovations in assistive technology.
Beyond the Headlines
Elly Savatia's journey from a curious child to an award-winning innovator exemplifies resilience and social impact. His commitment to empowering marginalized communities through technology reflects a broader trend of using innovation to address real-world problems. The success of Terp 360 could inspire other young innovators to pursue similar projects, fostering a culture of inclusivity and accessibility in technology development.
