August 11, 2016 / by the SimulTrans Team Estimated read time: 7 minutes
The Internet of Things (IoT) is deeply entwined with the move toward smart technology. Machine-to-machine communication, data-collecting sensors, and cloud computing allow devices to accomplish a great deal.
IoT promises to make the objects we interact with everyday ‘smart’ producers of data that can be used for everything from keeping track of the contents of your fridge to managing your health.
But what localization-specific challenges are associated with this global connectivity growth?
Let’s investigate…
1. Volume of data
The collection of data is a cornerstone of IoT. However, data is essentially useless if it cannot be translated into a usable form. For instance, a sensor that detects icy road conditions beneath your car's tires is only helpful if it can communicate that information in a meaningful way. Plus, the amount of data that can potentially be collected can quickly become overwhelming. If a sensor captures data once every minute, this would result in 1,440 data samples per day. What if there are 10 sensors that each capture data once per second? Translating this mass of data for your global customer base presents a big headache.
Solution
Machine Translation (MT) or Automated Translation allows for increased productivity, reduced translation time, and greater cost savings. Mass data can be processed in real time where human translation has thus far been cost-prohibitive. According to the Common Sense Advisory, MT is profoundly changing the landscape of the language industry with usage rates making steady gains.Will it be possible to human post-edit the MT output for IoT volumes of this magnitude? Unlikely. Rather a combination of careful engine customization and evaluation plus integrated terminology management will help to significantly boost productivity without compromising quality.
How? A two pronged approach is best:
1. Aim to create more MT-friendly controlled source content focussing on correct spelling, punctuation and unambiguous constructions.
2. Adjust and modify your MT engine ensuring high-level coding for rule-based systems, or training with clean, high-quality, domain/client-specific content (such as corpora) for data-driven or hybrid systems.
2. The need for speed
IoT will significantly change the way products are developed and released across all industries. Software developers will have to transition away from traditional long release cycles taking many months and respond to updates on a daily, even hourly basis. Agile localization will be crucial. Language Service Providers (LSPs) are already accustomed to agile practices within the paradigms of mobile, cloud computing, and big data but the IoT whirlwind is about to make things even faster. There will be rapid, regular, time-critical content distribution across multiple devices and channels. Your language strategy will need to be proactive which is why it makes sense to leverage automated technology and continuous translation workflows.
Solution
Integrate localization into development cycles enabling advanced scheduling of translators, reviewers, and engineers. And synch these resources with the latest Translation Management Systems (TMS), which offer a modern, streamlined, agile solution to the more traditional waterfall localization process.
In-context translation is an added benefit. In the TMS the source text is visible in the translation interface. Translators can make adjustments in real-time, removing the guesswork. Sizing issues are avoided as translators can see space limitations – especially important for app/mobile localization. Time-consuming and costly back-and-forth is eliminated resulting in fewer QA cycles – or none at all if IoT time constraints don't allow.
In an increasingly fast-paced, connected world of smart IoT devices, TMS combined with a professional LSP will prove worthy of investment for companies who want to transform the way their content is created and consumed internationally.
3. User Experience
Having amazing devices, platforms, and smart integration is one thing. But often, the most important person – the user – is forgotten about. How the user interacts with IoT technology could signal success or failure. If connected devices are to be adopted on a global scale, users speaking a wide range of languages will have to understand them. Essentially IoT device makers will need to distribute professionally localized content that caters to local idioms, current slang, and social and linguistic trends. Being ‘Glocal’ will be key.
How does localization fit in?
Users will want IoT devices and apps in their local language and adapted to their culture. Formats for date, time, temperature scales, measurement systems, currency, icons, etc., will have to reflect the user’s specific target market. Changes in digital marketing and consumer buying trends will undoubtedly result in even more audio, video, and animated content to enhance the user experience. Voiceover scripts will need to be transcribed and / or recorded (and potentially lip-synched), on-screen text translated, or subtitles added. Your LSP will need the latest multimedia localization tools, access to a large pool of studios, sound engineers, and voice artists, plus a well-planned process to meet IoT user expectations.
The Internet of Things has the potential to improve lives, increase efficiency, promote safety, and more. With increasing IoT enablement comes responsibility - the localization industry must prepare and make strides in technology and automation in order to make fast, efficient, and accurate IoT data translation a reality for all users around the world.
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