We started in 2006 as a student project in the GROCS program. Having received funding to develop a media-driven collaborative learning application, we utilised the 3D motion capture studio within the Duderstadt Center of UM's North Campus. Together with Flash we produced a prototype on-demand American Sign Language interpreter that could fit on a phone.
In Fall of 2006 we entered into the UM ZLI Michigan Business Challenge and placed in the final four - earning enough money to pursue a patent and register as an LLC in Michigan.
>> Read the ZLI annual report featuring our company on the cover <<
We also entered other competitions and rounded up enough funding to being seriously looking at launching our first product in late 2010. We currently are about to secure studio time in a feature film-grade motion capture studio and are in several talks with potential investors. It is an incredibly exciting time for our company.
Co-Founders
Jason Gilbert
Jason Gilbert completed his PhD in Atmospheric, Oceanic, and Space Sciences in July of 2008. He is currently working as a Post-doc in the solar heliosphere laboratory. He is fluent in American Sign Language and worked as a certified interpreter for several years before enrolling in graduate school. As a result, he brings with him knowledge of deaf culture and language to the project. He also brings with him programming experience primarily dealing with numerical modeling techniques.
Judy Shau-yuh Yu
Judy graduated with a PhD in Space Physics and Planetary Science in fall of 2009. She received B.S. degrees in Computer Engineering, Mathematics, and Physics & Astronomy in 2003. She has years of web application development experience and brings to the table technical expertise to tackle the multitude of technical challenges MSigns presented. She currently is a professional web-programmer and research scientist.
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