Travis the Translator
Whether it involves doing business, travel or even day-to-day life, at some point we will all run into a situation where language is a major barrier, when we have to interact with a person who speaks a different language. This is where Travis the Translator comes in. Featured in this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Travis the Translator is a pocket-sized device that is capable of translating an entire conversation in real-time. Travis is capable of translating speech to speech between 80 online languages and 20 offline languages [1][3].
The developers claim that it takes less than two seconds for the device to translate, and that Travis uses artificial intelligence to further reduce this time as Travis is used more. Team Travis, the company behind Travis the Translator, has settled their base in Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The company is relatively new as they launched Travis on Indiegogo (an online fundraising platform) in April of 2017. To date, they have raised almost $1.8 million USD in funding. But unfortunately, we will just have to wait and see what else they have in store for all that money [1].
he process for users to start using the device is as follows: two languages are chosen on the device, the first person will speak into it, waits briefly, then Travis repeats the phrase in the other language. The second person will through the same process. With Waterloo’s diverse student body, we might be able to see Travis making an appearance on campus in the coming years!
TravisTalks Portuguese and English
While the cheapest option retails at $179 USD, the device itself is quite pricey, but we might see the price drop in the upcoming years, where more companies will engineer similar devices and market competition takes over [1][3].
You can read more about fundraiser initiative for Travis the Translator on the Indiegogo fundraiser platform provided by the company. On the Travis' official website, you can learn more about Travis the Translator and Team Travis [1][3].
Pixel Buds
Find out about Pixel buds on the Google Store.
If you happen to own one of Google’s flagship phones (the Pixel or the Pixel 2), Google’s Pixel Buds also feature real-time translating using Google Translate. Priced at $159 USD, it is cheaper to invest in the Pixel Buds than Travis the Translator. But the catch is that the translating feature of the earbuds only works on Google-made phones. For people who do not own a Google mobile device, purchasing a new phone just to use these headphones is not viable, unless they are in the market for a new phone anyways [2][4].
The process for utilizing Pixel Buds for translating is a bit more complicated. The Pixel Buds require the user to activate Google Assistant by pressing and holding the right earbud, and using the voice command to say, “Ok Google, help me speak ___”, followed by the language of choice. This will bring up Google Translate, and one person will speak into the phone.
For listening, the phone owner will have the message translated by Pixel Buds in ear, and text translation will appear on screen. If the owner of the phone who is speaking into the device, they will then press and hold the right earbud and speak, while the phone speakers relay the translated message and text translation appears on screen [2][4].
Google Pixel Buds Translate
What does this mean for travel?
In foreign countries, not being able to communicate with locals can be an impediment when trying to get from point A to point B, ordering food, or during emergencies. While it is probably best to learn key phrases for these things in case of an emergency, real-time translating technology can prove to be very useful in these situations.
The device definitely has the potential to make sure people meet their itinerary times, and to be able to consult locals for help when needed. Furthermore, people will be able to have conversations with locals, who have different cultures and perspectives. Overall, this technology will seemingly make travelling much simpler and engaging.
What does this mean for business?
With our global economy becoming more and more connected between nations, it is important that language does not interrupt business meetings and decisions. Although most major companies probably have hired translators, but not all companies such as start-ups, are able to afford to pay a salary or have a contract position for a service like that.
Instead, paying a one-time payment and being able to take the device anywhere around the world, will allow all companies to do business internationally, which will leave local and global economies stronger in the long run. It is becoming more and more crucial to be able to do business abroad, and real-time translation technology could prove to be a game changer for businesses.
What does this mean for Education?
Every year university-bound student in Canada will say goodbye to their parents at the end of the summer to start their studies. Some of these students will leave their country in order to receive world-class education. There are many students enrolled here at the University of Waterloo and other Canadian universities that find themselves in this situation. For students whose first language is not English, and want to overcome the possible language barrier, real-time translating devices could be very effective for them during their classes.
Research opportunities abroad can become much easier and accessible with real-time translating technology. In the case of conducting University research abroad, the device will prove its worth as collaborators will then be able to communicate with each other more easily.
Conclusion
As globalization becomes more prominent in the coming years, communication becomes even more vital as we move forward. We could see real-time translating devices and software become a very useful technology in our day-to-day lives.
References
[1] Travis Translator (2017, April 25). Retrieved January 30, 2018 from https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/travis-i-speak-80-languages-so-can-you-travel#/
[2] How Google Got Translation Right with Pixel Buds (2017, December 24). Retrieved January 30, 2018 from https://www.tomsguide.com/us/pixel-buds-translation-feature,news-26294.html
[3] Travis the Translator (n.d.). Retrieved January 30, 2018 from http://www.travistranslator.com/
[4] Google's Pixel Buds translation will change the world (2017, October 04). Retrieved January 30, 2018 from https://www.engadget.com/2017/10/04/google-pixel-buds-translation-change-the-world/
