3PO

3PO is a real-time speech-to-speech translator designed to help people communicate in multilingual situations. The tool uses auto language detection, so users don't have to specify the source language, and it can translate conversations automatically.

Among its features is zero configuration, which means you can translate automatically from 45 languages with no setup. The "Sci-fi" mode lets people communicate privately with each other, each wearing one ear pod, and the "Tune-in" mode translates announcements in real time and speaks them to people's headphones.

3PO is designed to help break down language barriers in situations like international events, hotels, restaurants and language learning. It can handle multiple languages in a single conversation, too, so people can communicate more naturally and easily.

Some examples of how people might use it include talking to strangers, listening to broadcasts in a foreign language. The tool could be useful in places where multiple languages are common, like eastern Ukraine or Chinese restaurants where Cantonese or other dialects might be spoken.

It supports a broad range of languages, including Asian languages like Chinese, Japanese and Korean, as well as languages of the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

3PO is free to use during its early days of adoption. A cost recovery mechanism will be put in place if needed. The company says audio data and text are used only for the translation process and are not stored or used for other purposes like training AI systems or showing ads. See the 3PO website for details.

Published on July 23, 2024