MobileASL

A research project from the University of Washington that developed video compression technology enabling real-time, two-way American Sign Language (ASL) video communication on mobile phones. MobileASL addressed the challenge that standard mobile video calling consumed too much bandwidth and battery power for practical sign language communication. The project used activity recognition to detect signing versus non-signing periods and applied adaptive compression strategies — reducing frame rate and spatial resolution during pauses — to extend battery life while maintaining video quality sufficient for ASL comprehension. MobileASL represented an important step toward mobile communication equality for Deaf people, who rely on visual language and could not use voice-only phone calls.