Translit launches interpreter on wheels to support private healthcare

Irish private healthcare technology firm Translit has introduced the Interpreter on Wheels, a pioneering device designed to overcome language barriers in clinical settings. The device provides live video interpretation in over 200 languages, facilitating accurate communication between clinicians and patients across hospitals in Ireland and the UK.

Already deployed in 18 hospitals across Britain, the device operates in both private and NHS facilities. By using a dedicated internal communication card, the system does not rely on mobile networks or hospital internet connections, ensuring patient data and interpretation lines remain secure. High-quality microphones and speakers support precise information transfer, reducing the risk of miscommunication.

The device also features an antibacterial coating to lower infection risk from shared technology, an important consideration in clinical environments. Interpretation is mediated by professional human interpreters rather than AI or subtitles, providing real-time nuanced support for complex medical consultations.

According to Census 2022, 10.6% of Ireland’s population speaks a language other than English or Irish at home, and 13% report poor or no English skills. The device addresses this communication gap, supporting hospitals in delivering safer and more efficient care to linguistically diverse patients.

Translit employs 45 full-time staff and coordinates a network of 6,000 freelance interpreters and translators. Its portfolio spans face-to-face interpretation, on-demand telephone interpreting, video interpretation, and document translation services. The launch of the Interpreter on Wheels represents an extension of these capabilities, directly enhancing hospital operations and patient outcomes.

CEO Alex Chernenko noted that the device accelerates access to qualified interpreters while reducing the need for additional personnel in clinical spaces. The innovation is expected to improve workflow efficiency and patient safety, particularly in multilingual hospital environments.

Explore how Translit’s new device is enabling safer, more efficient communication in hospitals across Ireland and the UK in the full story.