3rd pilot project at Heilbronn University: Live translation for international lectures

Our Live Translation technology was subjected to a special endurance test as part of our 3rd pilot test at Heilbronn University. Together with Prof Dr Stephan Bingemer, research professor for the future and technology of tourism, we had the opportunity to try out our prototype in an academic environment. In a lecture with international students, the focus was not only on practical use, but also on a detailed technical review of our AI-supported solution.

An academic environment with challenges

The test environment at Heilbronn University provided a unique opportunity to evaluate the performance of our real-time translation. International students enrolled in various academic programmes were the ideal target group to find out how well our system can translate complex content and technical terms.

During the course of the lecture, which was led by Prof Dr Bingemer, the prototype was tested under various conditions:

• Specialised terminology: translating scientific terms and tourism-specific technical terms was a real challenge.
• Dialect: With deliberately integrated dialects in some examples, we tested how our AI deals with regional language variations.

Despite the challenging conditions, the prototype showed remarkable results and was able to solve many of the tasks satisfactorily. What was particularly impressive was how quickly the translations were provided in real time, even for complicated technical terms.

Insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the prototype

As with every development project, this test also produced findings that provided valuable information for further development. The prototype was able to show that it is capable of translating even complex content, although some weaknesses were revealed that can now be optimised in a targeted manner::

• Technical terms: Some specific terms were not always translated accurately, which shows that further adjustments are necessary in the terminological database.
• Dialects: Regional language variations were a particular challenge, highlighting the importance of continuously augmenting the AI with training data.
• Speed and stability: Despite impressive speed, there were delays in rare cases, which can play a role in real-time translations.

However, the feedback from the international students and Prof Dr Bingemer was consistently positive. Many participants were amazed at the opportunities Live Translation opens up in academic and professional contexts.

Scientific applications and practical perspectives

A special aspect of this test was the discussion about the future application possibilities of our Live Translation technology in the academic environment. Prof. Dr. Bingemer emphasised how important such solutions are for international universities and programmes.

Possible areas of application include:

• Multilingual lectures: Lecturers can present their content in one language while students receive the translations in real time. On site or online.
• Global collaboration: academic conferences and seminars could be made more inclusive through live translation.
• Barrier-free access: Students with different language skills would have the opportunity to participate equally in teaching through real-time translation.

The test also showed how much potential lies in a combination of technological innovation and academic research. Heilbronn University is an ideal partner for carrying out such pilot projects and providing valuable feedback for further development.

Conclusion: An exciting step into the future

Our prototype was put through its paces at Heilbronn University - in an academic environment that places high demands on accuracy, speed and flexibility. The test showed us how powerful our live translation technology already is, but also where there is still potential for optimisation.

A big thank you goes to Prof Dr Stephan Bingemer and his international students, who supported us with their openness and constructive feedback. Such collaborations are essential in order to continuously develop our product and ensure that it fulfils the requirements of a wide range of applications.

With each test, we come closer to our goal of overcoming language as a barrier and creating new opportunities for communication, collaboration and education - no matter where and in what context.