Transmit
A millimetre-wave sensor emits low-power radio signals.
The project
Connecting radar, movement, and language.
RADAR-SIGN-BRIDGE investigates a privacy-preserving route for future smart devices to respond to British Sign Language.
Motivation
Why this project matters
Digital technology is becoming part of everyday life, but many systems are still designed mainly for spoken language. This creates a digital divide for BSL users.
Smart speakers, voice assistants, and other connected devices often assume that people interact through speech. Camera-based sign-language recognition may offer one route, but cameras can raise concerns around privacy, consent, lighting conditions, and continuous video recording.
RADAR-SIGN-BRIDGE investigates a different approach: using radar to support sign-based interaction without relying on cameras.
Our aim is not to replace human interpreters or the richness of Deaf communication.
We are exploring how future technology could become more inclusive by responding to BSL-based commands in everyday contexts.
Our vision
Privacy-preserving BSL interaction with smart devices.
We are working towards future systems where a person could use BSL-based commands to interact with smart devices.
Turn lights on or offAdjust heatingSet reminders or timersAnswer a doorbell alertSend a messageMake a callControl music or TVAsk for help
These examples are not final. Deaf and BSL communities should help shape what is prioritised first.
Approach
What makes radar different?
Radar senses movement patterns using radio waves. Unlike a normal camera, it does not capture a standard visual image or video of a person.
Reflect
Signals reflect from moving hands, arms, and the body.
Represent
Processing reveals changes in range, velocity, and motion.
Understand
Models connect temporal patterns with signs and commands.
The scientific challenge is to connect these movement patterns with BSL signs, phrases, meanings, and eventually safe smart-device actions.
Workstreams
What we are developing
Tools, datasets, and models for radar-based BSL recognition and translation.
Radar sign-language simulation
We are developing LinguaRadar, a sign-language radar simulation approach designed to generate radar representations of BSL signing motion.
Synthetic radar datasets
A major challenge is the lack of suitable radar datasets for BSL. We explore how existing BSL video and motion resources could support synthetic radar datasets and help address this gap.
Radar-to-language modelling
BSL is a full language with grammar, context, regional variation, facial expressions, and body movement. We investigate mappings from radar signals to signs, glosses, phrases, and English commands.
Smart-device interaction
The practical focus is to explore how future devices could respond to BSL-based commands, reducing reliance on spoken interfaces.
Open questions
The research is shaped by questions, not assumptions.
Technical performance, language, safety, privacy, and acceptability all matter.
- Which BSL signs or phrases should be prioritised first?
- Should early systems focus on individual signs, short phrases, or continuous signing?
- Should radar signals first map to BSL glosses before English?
- How should natural sign transitions and regional variation be handled?
- When should a smart device ask for confirmation before acting?
- What would make this technology trustworthy for Deaf and BSL users?