THIS EVENT IS ONLINE (MUST RSVP)  

CCNY's Division of Interdisciplinary Studies
at the Center for Worker Education (CCNY CWE)
Cordially Invites you to

Breaking Barriers: AI-Powered Technologies in Communication for ASL and Navigation for the Visually Impaired 
A Lecture with Dr. YingLi Tian
Distinguished Professor, CCNY and GC | IEEE, IAPR, and AAIA Fellow
Tuesday, Mar 11 2025, 5 PM | Zoom

RSVP

In this talk, I will share our research on how AI and computer vision technologies can be applied to create innovative solutions for individuals with special needs. The presentation will focus on two key applications:

1) AI-Driven ASL Learning Tool: This system is designed to assist American Sign Language (ASL) learners by providing immediate, automatic feedback on their signing skills outside the classroom. ASL is a distinct language, primarily used by over 500,000 people in the U.S., relying on hand gestures, facial expressions, and body movements. Our approach leverages AI to analyze key linguistic and performance attributes of ASL, without the need to identify the entire sequence of signs. By integrating multimodal data (such as facial expressions, hand gestures, and body poses) and multisensory input (from RGB and depth videos), our system can automatically detect and flag common grammatical errors. This enables ASL learners to receive actionable feedback in under two minutes per one-minute video, enhancing their learning experience.

2) Wayfinding and Navigation for the Visually Impaired: Navigating indoor environments can be a significant challenge for blind or visually impaired individuals. In this work, we present a prototype Android-based navigation system that combines cutting-edge computer vision and robotics SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technologies. This system helps users navigate multi-floor buildings by providing real-time, step-by-step guidance, making it easier for them to reach their destinations safely and efficiently. Through these innovations, we aim to empower individuals with special needs, improving both communication and mobility, and demonstrate the transformative potential of AI and computer vision in assistive technology.

Short-bio: Dr. YingLi Tian is a CUNY Distinguished Professor in Electrical Engineering Department at the City College of New York (CCNY) and Computer Science Department at Graduate Center of the City University of New York (CUNY). She is an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) fellow, an International Association of Pattern Recognition (IAPR) fellow, and an Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association (AAIA) Fellow. Her research interests include computer vision, machine learning, artificial intelligence, assistive technology, medical imaging analysis, and remote sensing.

Tuesday, Mar 11 2025, 5 PM
Online (Zoom)
FREE | Must RSVP at: https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/cwe/rsvp-breaking-barriers-ai-powered-technol…