The first avatar capable of responding to emergency requests that come to the 112 emergency telephone number using Italian Sign Language (Lis) has arrived: the goal is to enable even deaf people to be more autonomous and to access basic services. This 'virtual interpreter' was developed by the Siena-based company QuestIt.

Users, after calling the phone number, will receive a link on their smartphone that will allow them to interact with the virtual assistant. Once they understand the type of emergency, the avatar will then pass the information to an operator in attendance. The citizen will be able to use his or her smartphone to receive questions and instructions in Lis even without the need for an interpreter.

The project stems from a challenge issued by the City of Turin, which will in fact host the first trial.