Glasses that can translate text unveiled at Ceatec 2013

Glasses that can translate a menu have been demonstrated by a major Japanese mobile operator. NTT Docomo’s wearable Intelligent Glasses can project an image of translated text over unfamiliar characters, the company said. The spectacles also allow the wearer to view and manipulate virtual images.
 
The wearable technology was demonstrated at Ceatec 2013, a consumer electronics show in Japan. NTT Docomo said that Intelligent Glasses could be a boon to tourists.
 
"Character recognition technology enables instant language translation for users travelling abroad and reading restaurant menus and other documents," NTT Docomo said.
 
The glasses, which are still at a research stage, can show translated text in a user’s first language, according to the company.
 
The head-mounted display can translate Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean languages.
 
The technology can also turn flat surfaces into pseudo-touchscreens, NTT Docomo said. A person can manipulate a virtual image in their field of vision using a ring that relays hand movements on the blank surface back to the glasses.