Saudi ‘smart glove’ inventor thrives in the age of innovation

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Perfect fit: Hadeel Ayoub’s BrightSign smart glove allows people with speech disabilities to translate sign language into text and voice. (Reuters)
Updated 21 July 2019
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Saudi ‘smart glove’ inventor thrives in the age of innovation

  • Hadeel Ayoub is the founder of BrightSign, a London-based company specializing in assistive technology
  • BrightSign's signature product is a smart glove that can facilitate communication by individuals with speech disability

LONDON: Saudi inventor and tech innovator Hadeel Ayoub is giving people who can’t speak new hope — and a new voice.

The founder of London-based tech company BrightSign is the driving force behind a smart glove that allows individuals who are unable to speak to communicate by translating sign language into text and speech.

After more than four years’ work, Ayoub, a designer, programmer and researcher in human computer interaction, plans to launch the device later this year.

Some of the biggest beneficiaries will be families with children who have speech disabilities and want to be better connected through technology. The BrightSign glove will enable these children to become better signers and communicators, but can also be hooked up with a web app to provide instant translation in most languages.

The architecture of a BrightSign glove is relatively straightforward: Multiple sensors, embedded under an outer glove, track finger positions, hand orientation and dynamic movements. The hardware is contained inside a slender wristband.

Hand gestures are translated into text that appears on a screen embedded in the glove, and speech is made audible via a mini-speaker. The user can select the voice and speech language.


BIO

• Founder and Chief Technology Officer, BrightSign

• Experienced lecturer, researcher and entrepreneur with experience in the higher education industry

• Skilled in innovation, creative coding, programming and design research

• Ph.D. in human-computer interaction and gesture recognition from Goldsmiths, University of London


Ayoub has been featured in Forbes magazine, tech programs on the BBC and Discovery channels, and has spoken at discussions organized by Britain’s Financial Times and Guardian newspapers. She has also taken part in a number of exhibitions with innovation and assistive technology as their themes.

Recalling the inspiration for the smart glove, the Saudi inventor said she was originally designing a device for an air-draw program — the air was the canvas, and the hands and fingers were the drawing tools. Her aim was to replace the mouse and keyboard with trackable wearable technology.

On the basis of her design, Ayoub was selected to represent her university at an IBM global hackathon in artificial intelligence for social care. She reprogrammed the glove to translate sign language and won the competition.

When news of the smart glove was circulated in the media, Ayoub’s inbox was flooded with inquiriesttt from parents wanting the glove for their children, from speech therapists for their patients, and from teachers for their students.

The tech innovator quickly realized there was a need for this kind of technology and decided to make it the focus of her Ph.D. research.




Hadeel Ayoub’s BrightSign smart glove allows people with speech disabilities to translate sign language into text and voice. (Reuters)

“I want to break the current barriers facing those who wish to broaden their experience with sign language beyond the current traditional method,” Ayoub said.

She believes that at least three improvements are urgently needed: Integrating children with disabilities into mainstream classrooms; equipping adults who have disabilities with technologies that will help them perform tasks as well as their peers manage; and making smart-glove devices available in public locations such as airports, shopping malls, government offices and hospitals to offer a smoother service to visitors with disabilities.

A global award winner for her technological innovation, Ayoub regularly tests and improves the BrightSign glove, which she describes as a work in progress.

“The glove has gone through multiple rounds of prototyping and testing. I have implanted the users’ feedback to develop hardware, software and design,” she said.

“It is now being used in six schools to help non-verbal children overcome their communication challenges in the classroom.”

Ayoub said that further studies would help her develop the final product. “I am now taking glove pre-orders on the BrightSign website,” she said.

The Saudi inventor said that she has always been “a progressive thinker and a dreamer of possibilities,” and described a childhood spent immersed in books rather than playing with dolls.

She remembers her family library with fondness and reminisces on quiet evenings spend reading.

As well as being an innovator, Ayoub is a mother who talks lovingly about her children.

“They are very much involved in the development phases of BrightSign,” she said. “I consider their opinions on the products designed for children. I always encourage them to do what they love since that would mean that they will excel in it.

“They get excited every time they see someone using BrightSign and they can see how it helps people live better.

“They also understand the concept of tech for good and aspire to work one day on technologies with a social impact.”

Ayoub sees herself as problem solver with an eye for technical detail, a kind of instinctive trouble-shooter. “When I attempt to solve a problem, I go through cycles of trial and error until I achieve a breakthrough,” she said.

“I encountered a number of problems that were unprecedented, so I wasn’t able to turn to a source or a reference. I guess this is what prompted me to get creative and think outside the box, which eventually put me on the innovation route.

“I find dead ends challenging. When someone tells me that something has never been done, it does not mean that it is not doable. On the contrary, it motivates me to keep going until I find a solution.”

As for the current model of innovation, Ayoub admires the global interconnectedness.

“The mindset now is collaborative rather than competitive,” Ayoub said.

“I am part of inventors’ groups in Saudi Arabia, the Gulf region and the Middle East. Most of us got business training at some point in order to secure investment and go into production.”

I find dead ends challenging. It motivates me to keep going to find a solution.

Hadeel Ayoub

Being a innovator has been far from a walk in the park for Ayoub. She believes what really pushed her in her chosen field was her desire to learn something new in every degree she pursued, starting with design, then programming and, finally, technology.

“More often than not I find myself the only woman speaking at a tech conference or giving a tech talk at an event,” she said. “I am proud to represent my country in global exhibitions and am even prouder when I walk away with awards at competitions.

“I hope that I can inspire young girls to experiment with technology and use it to enhance their respective practices.

“I have created a ‘women in tech’ group where we have regular meetings to share our challenges and extend our support each other.”

Based on her experiences, Ayoub has a message for young Saudis: “This is the age of innovation and entrepreneurship. If what you are passionate about doesn’t exist as a field of knowledge, create it.

“Learn how to code. It will be useful in any career you pursue and will enable you to integrate technology into your practice.”

 


Saudi-led initiative restores Yemen’s iconic Seiyun Palace

Updated 7 sec ago
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Saudi-led initiative restores Yemen’s iconic Seiyun Palace

  • Kingdom’s program, UNESCO collaborate to preserve heritage, boost cultural tourism in Hadramout

RIYADH: After years of deterioration that threatened its survival as a historical and cultural symbol, Seiyun Palace in Hadramout, eastern Yemen, is regaining its original form through restoration led by the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen. 

Seiyun Palace was once featured on Yemen’s national currency due to its importance, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Originally built as a fortified stronghold to protect Seiyun, the palace later became the residence of the sultans of the Kathiri state, who ruled Wadi Hadramout. 

Despite its significance, the palace suffered damage over time, reaching a critical point in 2022 when a large part of its outer wall collapsed, raising concerns about its future. This led to calls for restoration, according to the SPA. 

At the Yemeni government’s request, the Saudi development program launched a project to restore the palace. 

Funded by the program and implemented by UNESCO, the effort involved Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture and Yemen’s General Organization of Antiquities and Museums, with support from Yemen’s Social Fund for Development.

Restoration included repairing the outer wall and mudbrick structures. Attention was given to restoring wooden ceilings, carved doors, and windows that showcase Yemeni craftsmanship. 

The project also preserved the palace’s architectural features, including traditional decorations and wall inscriptions. Local engineers and technicians were trained in restoration techniques for ongoing maintenance. 

This project supports development in Hadramout and the preservation of Yemen’s heritage. The palace can now receive visitors and host events, enhancing its role as a cultural and tourism site, the SPA reported.

The Seiyun Palace restoration is one of 264 projects by the Saudi development program across Yemen, covering education, health, transportation, energy, water, agriculture, fisheries, and institutional capacity building.


Saudi students honored for international success

Alrebdi bin Fahd Al-Rebdi, director of the Saudi Data and AI Authority’s National Data Management Office. (SPA)
Updated 33 min 45 sec ago
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Saudi students honored for international success

  • Meanwhile, the Generation Research and Innovation Enrichment Program was recently launched at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology

RIYADH: Students from Tuwaiq Academy enjoyed outstanding success at the International Invention, Innovation and Technology Exhibition in Malaysia, where they won 12 gold medals and 16 special awards.

Alrebdi bin Fahd Al-Rebdi, director of the Saudi Data and AI Authority’s National Data Management Office, said the students’ performance reflected their creativity and global competitiveness.

He praised them for positively representing the Kingdom, adding the achievement stemmed from ongoing investment in human capital, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

A ceremony honoring the students included a visual presentation on their participation and an exhibition highlighting their projects. Two winners also gave talks about their journeys, challenges and lessons learned.

Meanwhile, the Generation Research and Innovation Enrichment Program was recently launched at King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, bringing together more than 90 gifted students from across Saudi Arabia.

Organized by King Abdulaziz City through Academy 32, in partnership with the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity, the program aims to introduce students to the basics of scientific research and promote innovation.

It connects participants with research centers and experts, offers practical training and encourages contributions to local scientific content.

Academy 32 CEO Amani Al-Shawi said the program helped develop young talent and prepare them for competition, citing recent successes by Saudi students including at the International Science and Engineering Fair and in Malaysia.


Saudi Arabia, China sign deal to boost cultural collaboration

Program in Diriyah will enhance cultural collaboration between Saudi Arabia and China.
Updated 12 min 50 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia, China sign deal to boost cultural collaboration

  • The program, aligned with the 2025 Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year, focuses on joint cultural initiatives
  • Both sides will carry out research projects to improve quality of cultural studies and collaborate on identifying and compiling cultural materials from national archives

RIYADH: The Ministry of Culture and the China-Arab Cultural and Tourism Cooperation Research Center have signed an executive program in Diriyah to enhance cultural collaboration between Saudi Arabia and China.

The program, aligned with the 2025 Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year, focuses on joint cultural initiatives, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

It was signed by Deputy Minister for Research and Cultural Heritage Affairs Maha Abdullah Alsenan and Cheng Wei, vice president of Beijing International Studies University and member of the joint committee of the China-Arab research center.

Both sides will carry out joint research projects to improve the quality of cultural studies and collaborate on identifying and compiling cultural materials from national archives.

The ministry will also work with the Chinese to organize joint conferences and facilitate visits and exchanges between cultural researchers to discuss shared cultural topics.

The agreement supports research exchange activities, enabling Saudi researchers to visit Chinese universities and research centers and vice versa. It also provides access to cultural experts, supports fellowship programs and offers consultative assistance.

This initiative aligns with the ministry’s efforts to promote international cultural exchange, a goal of the National Culture Strategy under Vision 2030.


Ancient ruins in Al-Ardiyat tell timeless tales

Al-Ardiyat is home to many archeological sites dating from earlier periods, including the pre-Islamic Arab eras and Stone Age.
Updated 30 June 2025
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Ancient ruins in Al-Ardiyat tell timeless tales

  • Al-Ruzqi pointed out that Al-Ardiyat is a testament to history, with numerous inscriptions adorning its mountains

JEDDAH: Al-Ardiyat, a governorate in the Makkah region, is home to many archeological sites dating from earlier periods, including the pre-Islamic Arab eras and the Stone Age.

These include ibex carvings and inscriptions continuing into later centuries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Abdullah Al-Ruzqi, a researcher of archaeology and history in the governorate, said the inscriptions in Al-Ardiyat fall into three categories: ibex drawings; Nabataean and Thamudic writings; and funerary inscriptions from the first Hijri century, such as the tombstone of Maryam bint Qays.

He also noted several other known and unknown inscriptions and etchings, calling for attention to and protection of these sites.

Al-Ruzqi pointed out that Al-Ardiyat is a testament to history, with numerous inscriptions adorning its mountains, the SPA reported.

He added that the governorate is known for the Thumaidah mine, a 50-meter-long tunnel in rocky mountains containing antimony kohl and lead deposits.

This mine is in a mountainous area stretching from Abyan to Mount Tharban along the western slopes reaching Qanuna Valley, and the eastern slopes extending to Yabah Valley.


Saudi Arabia offers condolences to Sudan after 11 die in mine collapse

A general view shows the Ariab company gold mine in the Sudanese desert, 800 kilometers northeast of the capital Khartoum. (AFP)
Updated 30 June 2025
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Saudi Arabia offers condolences to Sudan after 11 die in mine collapse

  • The collapse of the gold mine in the remote desert area of Howeid, northeast Sudan killed 11 miners and wounded seven others

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia offered its condolences to Sudan on Sunday after a gold mine partially collapsed in the country, killing 11 miners and wounded seven others.

The mine is in the remote desert area of Howeid, northeast Sudan.

The Foreign Ministry said the Kingdom stands with Sudan during this tragedy and wished the injured a speedy recovery.