Real-Time Sign Language Translator with ESP32 & AI Vision (AI + IoT)

Translate hand gestures into text on a physical screen in real-time! This project is a perfect introduction to the exciting world of computer vision, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Bridge the gap between the physical and digital worlds by teaching your computer to see and understand sign language, then display the results on an ESP32-powered LCD screen.

How It Works

This system operates with two core components working in perfect harmony. It’s a classic example of a powerful computer handling the heavy lifting (AI) and a nimble microcontroller managing the hardware (display).

• The AI Vision Core (Python on your PC): A Python script uses your computer's webcam as its eye. Leveraging Google's powerful MediaPipe library, it instantly detects your hand and all its key landmarks (the joints of your fingers). A custom algorithm then analyzes the position of these landmarks to recognize a specific gesture from its vocabulary.
• The Display Unit (ESP32 & LCD): Once the Python script recognizes a gesture, it sends the corresponding English word (e.g., "Hello") over a simple USB serial connection. The ESP32 microcontroller, constantly listening for this signal, receives the word and immediately displays it on the crisp 16x2 LCD screen.
  
  

Key Skills You'll Learn 🧠

• Practical Computer Vision: Implement a real-world application using the industry-standard OpenCV library.
• AI & Machine Learning: Use Google's MediaPipe for sophisticated hand landmark detection without needing to train your own complex models.
• Microcontroller Programming: Program the versatile ESP32 using the beginner-friendly Arduino IDE.
• Hardware-Software Communication: Master serial communication to make your computer talk to microcontrollers.
• Hardware Interfacing: Learn to wire up and control an I2C LCD display, a fundamental skill in electronics.
  
  

Supported Gestures🗣️

• 👍 Thumbs Up → Fist with thumb up → LCD: "Thumbs Up"
• 👋 Hello → Open palm (5 fingers) → LCD: "Hello"
• 👋 Bye → Four fingers up → LCD: "Bye"
• ✌️ Peace → Index + Middle finger extended → LCD: "Peace"
• ☝️ One → Index finger only → LCD: "One"
• ✊ Fist → Closed hand (0 fingers) → LCD: "Closed Fist"
  

New gestures can be added easily.