Smart Glove for Sign Language to Speech Conversion Using Flex Sensors and ESP32

Communication is a fundamental aspect of human interaction, yet individuals with speech or hearing difficulties often encounter substantial challenges in expressing themselves effectively within society. To address these barriers, this paper presents the development of a Smart Gesture-to-Speech Glove, an assistive wearable technology capable of converting hand gestures into audible speech. The system utilizes flex sensors [self-assembled sensor] mounted on each finger, where variations in electrical resistance correlate with finger bending to interpret predefined gestures. An ESP32 microcontroller acquires and processes the sensor data, subsequently transmitting the encoded gesture information wirelessly to an Android smartphone via Bluetooth. A customized mobile application developed using MIT App Inventor decodes the received data and employs Text-to-Speech (TTS) technology to generate real-time audible voice output. Experimental validation confirms that the prototype accurately recognizes common sign gestures with low latency and stable wireless performance. Owing to its low cost, portability, and ease of use, the proposed smart glove represents a practical and supportive communication aid for individuals with speech disabilities, promoting greater inclusivity and independence.