Kenyan Inventor and Software Engineer

Roy Allela

Roy Allela, a young and ambitious innovator from Kenya, has made significant contributions in the field of assistive technology. Let’s delve into his life, education, and professional journey:

1. Early Life and Inspiration:

   • Born in Kenya, Roy Allela gained prominence in 2019 when he invented a groundbreaking solution to aid communication for the deaf community.

   • His inspiration came from his 6-year-old niece, who was born deaf. She faced challenges communicating with her family because none of them knew sign language, which is essential for deaf individuals to express words and letters using hand gestures¹.

2. Invention: Sign-IO Smart Gloves:

   • Roy Allela’s invention, known as Sign-IO, consists of smart gloves that convert sign language movements into audio speech.

   • The gloves are equipped with flex sensors on each finger, which quantify the bend of the fingers during sign language gestures.

   • These gloves connect to a mobile app via Bluetooth, which then vocalizes the signed letters.

   • Roy’s niece wears these gloves, allowing her to communicate effectively with her family members who don’t know sign language².

3. Education and Professional Background:

   • Roy Allela is an experienced software engineer with strong programming skills.

   • He currently works at Intel and also serves as a data science tutor at Oxford University.

   • His passion for technology and empathy for those facing communication barriers led him to create the innovative smart gloves³.

4. Impact and Recognition:

   • Roy’s smart gloves have the potential to revolutionize communication for over 30 million people worldwide who have speech impairments.

   • The gloves allow seamless interaction between deaf individuals and those unfamiliar with sign language.

   • Users can customize the app by selecting their native language, gender, and pitch of vocalization.

   • The accuracy of the results achieved by Sign-IO is an impressive 93%.

   • Beyond functionality, the gloves’ design can be personalized, promoting acceptance and reducing stigma associated with hearing or speech disabilities.

   • Roy Allela’s invention received recognition from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)².

5. Future Goals:

   • Roy aims to place at least two pairs of gloves in every special needs school in Kenya.

   • He believes that Sign-IO could benefit millions of children worldwide who face hearing or speech challenges².

In summary, Roy Allela’s dedication to improving lives through technology exemplifies innovation with a purpose. His smart gloves bridge communication gaps and empower the deaf community, making him a true changemaker.

For more information, you can visit Roy Allela’s website: royallela.com.