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A group of Filipino Computer Engineering students from De La Salle Lipa has created an assistive robotic hand called VOICEGEST that translates spoken words into sign language to promote inclusivity in education for students with hearing and speech impairments.
VOICEGEST is inspired by the team's experience in a local special education school in Malvar, Batangas, where they struggled with the limited number of teachers.
The 3d-printed robotic hand is powered by servo motors and connects via Bluetooth to a mobile app that features voice recognition and touch controls. Users can either speak or tap on the app to trigger hand gestures for numbers, letters, and basic words in Filipino Sign Language (FSL).
Their mentor, Engr. Martin notes that the device has a user-friendly design catering to various needs through voice commands or touch inputs.
Currently, the robotic hand replicates 25 out of 27 degrees of motion found in a human hand, and the team is working on upgrades, including audio feedback and expanding the gesture vocabulary.
After winning at the Murata Robolution 2025 contest, they seek funding and investor support to enhance VOICEGEST and implement it in public institutions, hospitals, and customer service settings.
The team's goal is to promote inclusivity and improve communication tools for individuals with special needs. They view VOICEGEST as just the beginning, aiming to create a fully functional tool for better learning and understanding.
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