Engineers at NED University of Engineering and Technology claim to have developed an Artificial Intelligence-powered application that brings Urdu books to life.
The app can convert printed Urdu text from images or fonts into editable digital files. The text is then transformed into speech, creating an audiobook from any Urdu text.
"The beta version of the app is expected to be released within the next three months," the project lead, Associate Professor Dr Majida Kazmi, told The Express Tribune.
The app is capable of adjusting font sizes ranging from 8 to 40, while also offering 135 different script styles, she said, adding that the app will allow users to quickly translate websites from various languages, including English, into Urdu, making content more accessible. The project has been supported by the Anjuman Tarqi Urdu.
Despite Urdu being the 10th most spoken language in the world, its digital footprint has been limited, Dr Kazmi said. The project aims to address this gap by making Urdu texts - whether from books, articles, or other sources - machine-readable.
One of the project's features is its ability to convert Urdu text to speech, providing a synthetic voice with clear and accurate pronunciation.
This ensures that users can listen to the content with an authentic Urdu accent.
The technology has even been tested with older newspapers, proving its versatility in handling diverse types of written Urdu.
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