Therefore the DFKI spin-off Yocoy has developed the app Fahum (‘understand’), together with the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence. The app enables Arabic speaking refugees to communicate quickly and efficiently with German speakers. Thanks to the financial contribution of the Rotary-Club Hamburg-Walddörfer and the Technologiestiftung Berlin, Arabic speaking refugees can now deal with authorities and communicate with friends much easier – often making it possible in the first place.
SemVox has contributed the Android version of the app, which is the probably the most wide-spread smartphone operating system among refugees.
Unlike Google Translations, Yocoy’s „Always Correct Technology“ (ACT®) guarantees that there are no embarrassing mistakes occurring – or even ones with potential negative impact. The flexible dialog components, which are supposed to cover all communicative needs and possible actions while dealing with German speakers, have been defined and checked manually. The tonality of what is being said is of particular importance – the possibility to play back speech files also supports the users’ learning effects. The app users can also take pictures and integrate them into the dialog, in case a specific topic should not be covered.
In order to make the app popular among refugees, Yocoy, DFKI and SemVox are now starting a media offensive together with the Rotary-Club Hamburg-Walddörfer and the Technologiestiftung Berlin.