International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 07 | July 2025
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
Design and Development of a Prosthetic Hand for Sign Language Vaibhav Kewat¹, Sanket Kamble², Snehal Bandal³, Dr. Mrs. A. P. Laturkar⁴ ¹Electronics & Tele. Dept., PES Modern College of Engineering, Shivajinagar, Pune ²Electronics & Tele. Dept., PES Modern College of Engineering, Shivajinagar, Pune ³Electronics & Tele. Dept., PES Modern College of Engineering, Shivajinagar, Pune ⁴Electronics & Tele. Dept., PES Modern College of Engineering, Shivajinagar, Pune ---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------intricate crossing, making them feasible with our limited hardware setup of six servo motors. of a prosthetic hand system that translates keyboard inputs into American Sign Language (ASL) gestures to facilitate Letters such as J and Z involve continuous motion, while H, K, communication for deaf and mute individuals. The system uses and T require finger overlaps or dual-hand signs that our an Arduino Uno microcontroller, MG995 servo motors, and a hardware cannot currently replicate. Despite these mechanical keyboard to mimic selected ASL alphabets. The limitations, our system can form simple yet meaningful project addresses challenges like gesture complexity and words like COOL, YES, FOOD, SOUL, WIFI, LIFE, and YOU. hardware limitations while proposing solutions through These words allow users to express basic needs, emotions, structured design and calibration. This work contributes to or affirmations, significantly aiding daily communication for improving accessibility for the specially-abled community and deaf and mute individuals. This project not only opens up avenues for future innovation using AI and wireless demonstrates a step forward in inclusive technology but also controls. lays the foundation for future enhancements such as AI integration, wireless input, and expanded gesture Key Words: Prosthetic Hand, Arduino, Servo Motors, Sign vocabulary. Language, American Sign Language (ASL), Assistive Technology, Robotics.
Abstract - This paper presents the design and development
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
1. INTRODUCTION
The development of Arduino-based sign language to speech conversion systems has gained traction in improving communication for individuals with hearing impairments. Ishak et al. explored the use of flex sensors for gesture recognition, achieving commendable accuracy while highlighting the importance of user training [3]. This groundwork set the stage for further advancements, such as the real-time gesture recognition system presented by Ankit and Rajesh, which demonstrated the efficiency of multiple sensors in translating hand movements into speech [4]. Kumari et al. also contributed by analyzing various recognition techniques, reinforcing Arduino's role in these systems while pointing out vocabulary limitations [6].
Communication is a fundamental part of human life, yet individuals with hearing or speech impairments often face significant challenges when interacting with people who do not understand sign language. American Sign Language (ASL) is a primary mode of communication for many individuals who are deaf or mute. However, due to a lack of widespread understanding of ASL, a significant communication barrier exists between signers and nonsigners, often resulting in feelings of isolation, misunderstanding, and frustration. To address this challenge, advancements in assistive technologies are enabling new ways to bridge this gap and improve accessibility.
Karthiga et al. developed a flex sensor-based system that successfully converted gestures into speech, though its use was limited by its restricted gesture set [2]. Similarly, Sudhakar and Sadeghi implemented smart gloves utilizing flex sensors to improve accessibility for deaf and mute individuals [5], [6]. Collectively, these works highlight Arduino's effectiveness in assistive communication, while also identifying limitations in gesture recognition and vocabulary breadth.
One such development is the creation of prosthetic hands capable of translating typed text into ASL gestures. These devices allow users to input characters using a keyboard, which are then converted into hand signs using servo motors and microcontroller-based control systems. Our project focuses on designing such a cost-effective prosthetic hand using an Arduino Uno, MG995 servo motors, and a mechanical keyboard. The gestures are displayed through a 3D-printed hand, allowing real-time letter representation. While the full ASL alphabet includes complex dynamic and multi-hand gestures, our prototype currently supports 15 static alphabets: A, B, C, D, E, F, I, L, O, S, U, V, W, X, and Y. These particular letters were chosen because they involve straightforward finger positioning without movement or
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Overall, the findings emphasize the promise of Arduino technology in bridging communication gaps, suggesting that future research should focus on expanding gesture databases and integrating machine learning to enhance recognition accuracy. Innovative solutions addressing these challenges
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