XRAI Glass, a provider of augmented reality (AR) software solutions, has recently announced the launch of the public preview of its new technology that allows users who are deaf or suffer from hearing loss to read speech in real-time through closed captioning using a pair of AR smart glasses, also named XRAI Glass.

The XRAI Glass software converts audio into a subtitled version of conversation which will then appear on the glasses screen. The software’s sophisticated voice recognition capabilities can identify who’s speaking and the company noted that it will soon have the power to translate languages, voice tones, accents, and pitch.

In order to deliver its solution, XRAI Glass has formed a strategic partnership with consumer-ready AR glasses company Nreal. The Nreal Air glasses, which tether to a mobile phone device, are what users who are hard of hearing will be viewing conversations through.

Peng Jin, co-founder of Nreal, said: “We’re excited to see Nreal Air put to work in an inventive use case with benefits for users. Our company was founded to bring consumer-ready AR experiences to everyone, everywhere. So, we’re delighted that XRAI Glass is using Nreal AR glasses to empower deaf people in their everyday lives.”

The glasses will be available online to purchase from UK network provider EE for an upfront cost of GPB £10, then GBP £35 per month for 11 months for EE customers, or at EE stores nationwide for non-EE customers for GPB £399.99. The company noted that there will be no cost for the software during the public preview and the price following the public preview will be based on feedback from pilot users.

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