Wassim Omran, an exceptional Electrical Engineering student who transferred from Notre Dame University to carry on his Master’s degree at the University of Balamand, has garnered global acclaim with his innovative creation, the Infinity Glove, a testament to his creativity and perseverance. Collaborating with Samir Elias an Engineering student from Notre Dame Univeristy, Wassim’s journey exemplifies the spirit of innovation and resilience particularly when the Infinity Glove project had recently featured at the esteemed STEP Conference in Dubai Internet City in February 2024.
Securing their first patent in Lebanon in May 2023 marked the start of an extraordinary journey for both exceptional students. They poured their heart and soul into designing the Infinity Glove project from scratch, driven by an eager dedication to empower individuals with speech difficulties.
With its motto “Giving a Voice to the Voiceless”, the Infinity Glove is a revolutionary communication device under development designed to empower individuals with hearing difficulties, the elderly, and those facing speech challenges due to trauma. The user wears the glove and simply connects to an application created by Wassim and Samir. Equipped with sensors, the glove accurately detects fingers motions and hands gestures made by the user. The detected gestures are translated into digital data by the glove's onboard processing unit, which analyzes and interprets the user's intended message.
The Infinity Glove offers multiple modes, including sign language, letters, numbers, and custom shortcuts, allowing users to communicate in their preferred mode with ease and flexibility. Custom mode/shortcuts allows the user to input simple/custom gestures and link it to a phrase/word that he wants. In this way, the Infinity Glove empowers individuals with speech difficulties to communicate effectively and confidently, breaking down barriers and fostering inclusivity in everyday interactions.
With nothing but a vision and a passion for innovation, Wassim’s journey reached a pivotal milestone when he was shortlisted to present his project at the quarterfinals of the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) in the MEPA region that took place in Oman on the 23rd and 24th of February 2024, where he proudly showcased his innovation. Despite not clinching the top prize, his achievement resonated deeply, serving as a testament to the power of persistence and determination.
Vice President for Internationalization and Engagement and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Professor Rami Abboud extended his heartfelt congratulations to Wassim for his groundbreaking innovation and for choosing UOB to carry on with his postgraduate studies. Notably, the design aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 7. Professor Abboud further emphasized that Wassim’s journey serves as an inspiration to our university community and beyond. As he continues to redefine boundaries of innovation, Wassim stands as beacons of hope, reminding us that with dedication and determination, the impossible becomes achievable. Moreover, Professor Abboud underscored the importance of sustainability within our faculty, acknowledging Wassim's contribution in advancing this agenda through his innovative project.
