Elaine Ducharme, who is both deaf and blind, can now access information and communicate independently by using a robotic hand designed to translate American Sign Language (ASL) into tactile gestures. The device, named Tatum1, was developed by Samantha Johnson, a bioengineering graduate from Northeastern University, with the aim of facilitating communication for individuals who are unable to see or hear.

Tatum1 consists of a mechanical hand connected to a control box with clearly marked buttons for different types of content, such as news, weather updates, and text messages. When users select an option, the robotic hand reproduces ASL signs through precise finger movements that can be felt by the user’s hand. Since individuals like Ducharme cannot see the signs and ASL is inherently a visual language, tactile ASL—where signs are interpreted by touch—provides the link for deafblind users to receive information.

Ducharme, who lost her sight at age 27 due to Usher syndrome, a genetic condition affecting both vision and hearing, serves as a tester for Tatum1. She demonstrated how pressing a button labeled "W" generated a tactile weather report, conveying temperatures and forecasts simply by feeling the robotic hand’s signing. Ducharme notes that while Braille is another literacy tool for the blind, many find it challenging to learn, whereas she acquired tactile ASL more quickly and can interpret up to four letters per second.

The concept of tactile communication is not new, with roots tracing back to Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan’s finger spelling techniques. However, the absence of human interpreters at all times creates barriers for deafblind individuals. Johnson’s motivation to develop Tatum1 grew from her interactions with the deafblind community, particularly with Ducharme, spotting a need for remote, independent communication support.

After initial development at Northeastern and further work at the MassRobotics incubator, Johnson now leads Tatum Robotics, based at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts. Since its commercial launch in February, the company has shipped 25 Tatum1 devices. The product is offered at no cost to eligible deafblind users through a federally funded program administered by the Federal Communications Commission. Access is granted based on income criteria, helping to address financial barriers.

Tatum1 enables not only access to information but also real-time phone conversations with the aid of a human interpreter. During calls, users display signs via video, which the interpreter translates aloud to the other party. Responses are typed back into the Tatum1 device, allowing the user to feel the replies through tactile signing.

Experts in the field have recognized the device’s potential. Nancy O’Donnell, director of outreach for the Usher Syndrome Coalition, described Tatum1 as the most promising mechanical ASL communication tool introduced to the deafblind community to date. Johnson acknowledges ongoing development goals, including enhancing the device to replicate full ASL motions beyond finger spelling. A prototype called Wave, which incorporates a robotic arm in addition to the hand, is currently being tested and has been positively received by users like Ducharme.

With Tatum1 and subsequent versions, developers hope to increase independence and communication capacity for deafblind individuals, expanding the reach of tactile language technology.