Engineers develop life-changing technology for stroke victims

The innovative approach of engineers at Sheffield University has helped to radically improve the life of an elderly stroke victim who lost the ability to communicate with friends and family.

Bill Broad, 71, suffered a serious stroke in 2010, which stopped him from interacting with loved ones for around two years.

In the months following his stroke, Mr Broad was forced to spell out words on an alphabet chart when trying to communicate.

However, people in engineering jobs in Sheffield have changed his life for the better, fitting him with a special glove that translates Mr Broad's hand gestures into words or phrases.

The sensors that are able to detect hand movements are converted into a synthesised voice.

Since being fitted with the innovative technology, Mr Broad has been able to tell his family when he is hungry or thirsty, ask the time and undertake numerous other tasks he was not previously capable of performing.

Keeley Bellamy, the daughter of Mr Broad, explained how the special glove has impacted on her father's life.

"He got the glove a few months ago and it has been brilliant. He knows about 20 phrases now, so there are quite a few combinations for him to learn but he can tell us when he wants a drink and say thank you," she told the Daily Telegraph.

"As he learns more words, we hope it will allow us to have proper, full conversations again. At the moment we often end up sitting in silence as it can quickly get frustrating trying to communicate."

She said, too, that the device has made her father's life significantly easier and, by extension, much more enjoyable.

Although the glove appears to be the sort of item you could buy off the rack in any department store, it is actually capable of articulating more than 1,000 words.

As it costs around £700 and weighs a mere three ounces, there seems sure to be a big market for the product, not least because it can transform lives.