Firm secures language translation capabilities project

Kynamics of Mountain View, Calif., has secured a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate’s (S&T) Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP) language translation capabilities funding award.

The $192,520 in Phase 1 funding would yield a portable, standalone system. The Language Translator solicitation seeks capabilities facilitating communication in real time with non-English speakers and those who are unable to communicate verbally. The effort is in support of United States Coast Guard (USCG) missions.

“DHS S&T and SVIP have given the Coast Guard an opportunity to connect with innovative small businesses, such as Kynamics, to develop language translation technology that may enhance operational mission execution,” Wendy Chaves, chief of the Coast Guard Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, and Innovation Program, said.

Authorities indicated the Language Translator solicitation is open through noon PT on Feb. 20, 2021, with applications accepted on a continuous, rolling basis. SVIP is slated to evaluate applications three times every quarter, and the next application deadlines are Oct. 20, 2020, and Feb. 20, 2021.

“We’re excited to see how the Kynamics project unfolds as we move through this first proof-of-concept phase with USCG,” Melissa Oh, SVIP managing director, said. “We’re also delighted to include a minority female-founded company in our portfolio.”