Posted: 18/04/17
Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, recently announced funding for an ADAPT Centre research project on creating a system for post-editing of machine translation on touchscreen devices. The ADAPT project is one of a total 37 projects from 9 institutions funded under the Science Foundation Ireland’s (SFI) Technology Innovation Development Award (TIDA) programme with a total investment of €4.6 million.
The award went to ADAPT Centre’s Deputy Director Professor Andy Way and ADAPT research Dr Joss Moorkens. The project was based on a smartphone machine post-editing tool and aims to create an accessible mixed-mode, post-editing environment which allows speech and keyboard input. In addition, the new interface allows touchscreen manipulation and reordering of text. Users can use the technology with any combination of input methods to post-edit or translate using a tablet, touchscreen PC, or laptop. Incorporating universal design principles to include enhancements for differing levels of accessibility should make computer-aided translation and post-editing possible for more would-be translators.
Speaking of the announcement, Professor Mark Ferguson, Director General of Science Foundation Ireland and Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government of Ireland, said: “Science Foundation Ireland is committed to investing in the translation of world-class research from the laboratory to market. We regularly see high quality research discoveries that are likely to have strong economic impact potential; a key objective for Science Foundation Ireland is to increase the number of these discoveries that secure follow-on public or private investment.”
“The SFI TIDA programme plays a key role in this process by providing funding to develop technologies, and by delivering training in entrepreneurship to support Ireland’s next generation of technology start-ups.”
The SFI TIDA programme is designed to enable researchers to focus on the initial stages of an applied research project, facilitating researchers with the opportunity to demonstrate the technical feasibility of their project, directed toward the development of a new or innovative technology, product, process or service that has potential for further commercial development.
ADAPT Centre is internationally recognised as a leader in digital technology and innovation. ADAPT’s third-level researchers are trained in entrepreneurial skills, and these innovators are financially supported by SFI to explore innovation and technology achievements, to further develop better business opportunities within Ireland.
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