In an attempt to bridge the communication gap between the deaf community and hearing people, MotionSavvy, an Alameda-based startup, has developed a case for tablet computers that can serve as a virtual interpreter for the deaf.

Known as UNI, the case was designed by MotionSavvy CEO Ryan Hait-Campbell who was born deaf into a hearing family and understands the unique struggles. 

UNI uses gesture recognition technology via a camera developed by Leap Motion to translate American Sign Language into audible speech. (For now, UNI can only translate English and ASL.) It then merges the speech with voice recognition technology to convert spoken word to text. Because there are a variety of signs for any given word, users can even upload new signs using a feature called Sign Builder. The system learns how individual users sign, while also distributing each new sign to every UNI device. Pretty amazing. 

“This could really give deaf people the power to live the lifestyle they want to live,” CEO Ryan Hait-Campbell told Wired. “We think that is very powerful.”

The MotionSavvy Uni is available for preorder on Indiegogo for around $200. It's expected to ship at the end of 2015.