ili: The First Wearable Translator

The days of pocket dictionaries and Google translate apps may soon be behind us as language exchange innovations are advancing on a daily basis. One such invention is called ili, a wearable device that hangs around the neck and makes instant translation as easy as speaking your native language and pressing a button.

Traveling to a foreign country can be intimidating enough before even considering the language barrier. Instead of clumsily fumbling through guidebooks and breaking out an expensive smartphone to do all the translating work for you, ili is a small electronic device that can be worn around the neck or easily tucked away securely and provides nearly instant translations. With the press of a button, travelers can record a word or phrase in their native language, and shortly after can play the phrase out loud in a different language.

Ili does not require a data or WiFi connection so it can be used virtually anywhere. The playback speaker is loud enough to project the volume over any surrounding noises. Ili also comes with its own proprietary dictionary featuring travel-specific vocabulary and phrases.

Ili currently translates among English, Japanese and Chinese, but pending the device´s success, more languages may be available in the future, including French, Italian and Arabic. Ili is currently not available for commercial purchase, but the company is searching for travel partners to expand their network and to one day make ili a must for any international traveler.