TechCrunch - Alexia Tsotsis
"There are plenty of things to take for granted in this life, and the ability to hear is one that most of the population does. But not the team at MotionSavvy."
![]()
![]()
We are the MotionSavvy team from Rochester Institute of Technology / National Technical Institute for the Deaf -- one of the best technology schools in the nation. We are motivated deaf individuals that set out to break communication barriers between the deaf and hearing. The founding team is composed of people from many different fields; Ryan Hait-Campbell, a new media designer, Alexandr Opalka, a computer engineer, Jordan Stemper, a industrial designer, Wade Kellard, a mechanical engineer, and Michelle Giterman, a financial specialist. We also have a few new team members that came on recently, Claire Bernard, a media interactive developer, Sericia Jackerson, a ASL linguistics professor, and Alberto Scicali, a computer engineer.
![]()
Feedback allows UNI users to see how their signs appear on camera, which helps to make sure signs are input correctly and avoid missing important information.
![]()
![]()
ASL Users all sign slightly differently, and UNI accounts for that. UNI allows ASL users to add their own signs in an intuitive way. They simply describe and record the sign, and it gets saved into the dictionary. It’s that simple.
![]()
![]()
After you add new vocabulary into the system with SignBuilder, CrowdSign uploads and distributes those signs to all UNI users. This enables UNI to periodically provide large dictionary updates, and quickly scale the number of signs that are in the dictionary, as well as recognized by the system.
Processor |
Intel® Atom™ Processor (Quad Core) |
|
Operating System |
Windows 8.1 |
|
Screen Size |
8" |
|
Display |
1280 x 800 |
|
Memory |
2GB |
|
Hard Drive |
32GB |
|
Camera Resolution (Front/Back) |
1.2MP | 5MP |
|
Battery |
Integrated |
|
Ports |
Micro USB ( Used by LEAP ). |
|
Language |
American Sign Language / English
|
|
|
|
![]()
We have been working on developing the UNI case for the past 8 months. We have come a long way, trying different methods and techniques. It's been pretty cool to see all the different versions of the case!
![]()
![]()
We have several different relations with key players in the manufacturing game. The field is divided into two sections: Beta Unit Manufactures that will produce and assemble our original units for our beta testing period, and Original Design Manufacturers that will mass produce the final version of UNI once we have entered commercial distribution.
Leap Motion - Motion sensing hardware provider and company that work with us very closely to provide consultations and the necessary sensors for capturing sign language.
Systechele - OEM provider that will do mass production of the final version of UNI once the beta period has ended.
SZCEIT - Tablet supplier and OEM.
Ansync Labs - Prototyping/small volume production lab that can provide initial beta unit electronics components and assembly.
Accurate Patterns Inc. - Specializes in plastic patterns, tools, fixtures and gages, prototypes, and models for industry
Distribution
Initially, we will start with UPS and set up a business shipping solution for our in-house assemblies. SimplyGlobal will handle international shipping.
Assembly
In-house assembly will be the primary method until we start work with the OEM’s
![]()
![]()
![]()
We can’t do this without your support, but there are more ways to help than with money.
After 10 months of development and numerous improvements, UNI is a rough but working prototype. It currently recognizes the entire alphabet, numbers, and basic introductory phrases such as "Hello, my name is ".
We need to continue adding signs to our database, and test our UI. We are proud of what we have accomplished so far, but we need more time, funds, and manpower to make this vision an affordable reality for everyone.
All the funds raised from this campaign are put towards fulfilling your orders. They will be used to manufacture the UNI case and to finalize the software development. By supporting UNI, you enable us to launch the whole project, and create a great community of users.
UNI has other sources of funding that support paying for new talent and continued development of the software.
![]()
Each shirt comes with every pre-order of UNI. We will contact you for sizes after the campaign ends.
![]()
![]()
1. Can only Deaf or Hard of Hearing people use UNI?
a. No, anybody who uses ASL or spoken languages can use UNI. UNI has voice recognition to understand spoken language as well as sign language recognition.
2. Can UNI translate audible speech back into sign language?
a. Not at this time, this is a feature that we want to add to our system. Currently it translates audible speech to written text.
3. Can people learn sign language with UNI?
a. Yes, MotionSavvy actually has an educational app that allows hearing users to learn sign language.
4. Can UNI translate languages other than English and ASL?
a. Not right now, however those features are planned for future releases.
5. How much will it cost?
a. It depends on what perk you select . The retail price is $99 Now and $99 upon shipping. However, all UNI users will have to pay a monthly subscription fee of $19.99 to continue to access the UNI software.
6. What do I get when I purchase UNI?
a. Your UNI Box comes with the Dell Venue 8 Pro Tablet, charging adapter, UNI APP, and UNI Case with integrated Leap Motion Controller.
7. When do you plan on shipping?
a. We plan on shipping the Beta Units ASAP, however, the remaining units will be shipped at the end of the beta period in 6-9 months time.
8. What is the crowdsign functionality?
a. CrowdSign enables you to share the signs you have added with everybody else’s dictionaries via weekly updates.
9. Why do you need to pay a monthly subscription after purchasing the product?
a. The subscription pays for the on-going ability to add signs into the system and download the software and dictionary updates. These updates are critical to make the system more comprehensive and accurate.
10. Why did you choose to work with Leap Motion?
a. It is the best solution out there for sign language translation. In fact, it was the technology that the founders saw that originally inspired us!
11. Will UNI be available for iPads?
a. Not at this time, however MotionSavvy has plans to support iOS devices in the future.
12. What about smartphones?
a. Not at this time. However, MotionSavvy has plans to break into mobile phones in future versions of the case. Let us know what phone you have!
13. Do you have plans to expand to other operating systems and tablets?
a. MotionSavvy has tested the technology on the Windows 8.1 OS. However, we have also tested on the Android OS and plan to open that up as well on the same hardware.
14. I have my own tablet, can I use that one ?
a. Unfortunately no, you need the MotionSavvy case and the current iteration of the case only support the Dell Venue 8 pro tablet.
15. This product uses a tablet, are there any restrictions to the usage of the tablet outside of the UNI software?
a. Absolutely not. You can use the tablet as you would any other tablet, in addition you will be able to use the Leap Motion to browse the internet, play games and more.
For questions related to the Indiegogo campaign, you can contact pr@motionsavvy.com with subject line "Indiegogo"
For media inquiries, please contact pr@motionsavvy.com with subject line "Media"
If you want to share your story on how UNI will impact your life, or how you are inspired by accessibility, please contact pr@motionsavvy.com with subject line "Impact"
We have a personal stake in this product because we need this product for ourselves, too. We are working hard to make this product because we believe we can help CHANGE THE WORLD.
