Student creates AI technology to support others with dyslexia
By Chris Birkle | Published on 2 June 2026
Categories: Press office; Research; School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment;
Student creates AI technology to support others with dyslexia
Millions of people could benefit from a universal plug-in AI tool created by a Nottingham Trent University (NTU) student who was inspired to help other people, like him, who have dyslexia.
Angelus Collins, 23, created Lexo to support users with a range of tasks - from reading text aloud to converting their speech into writing – and already uses the technology to support himself with his studies.
The BSc Product Design undergraduate’s working prototype – which features five buttons for simple access to each function - can be plugged into any personal computer and used on any software package, saving people the need to use multiple tools to perform the same task.
His design is on public display for the university’s annual art and design Student Showcase, which exhibits the creative works of more than 1,300 students.
“I’m very dyslexic, and English has always been really hard for me,” said Angelus, who is originally from Street in Somerset. “I like making things that make our lives easier.
“When I struggle with reading and writing, this device allows me to simplify things. It’s helped me focus more on my creative ability instead of getting stuck.”
Lexo – which can operate in 30 different languages - allows users to highlight text anywhere on their screen and hear it read aloud, making it quicker and easier for people to understand what’s written.
Angelus with his design
The technology includes dictation, allowing spoken words to appear directly on the screen which removes the need for typing.
The dictation feature has AI‑powered tools that can correct grammar, adjust tone, summarise information and act as a dictionary.
For people who have visual stress, Lexo offers multiple coloured overlays to make reading easier for them.
It provides adjustable text sizes to make fonts more visible, and has guided reading features that follow lines of text on screen.
Angelus built both the hardware and software himself and is now working on refining the system, with plans to pursue a patent.
“My journey of programming tools to support myself began during my A-Levels, and then I started the development of Lexo during my degree,” said Angelus, who uses Lexo daily, particularly for reading emails or writing coursework.
“I developed my coding skills further during my placement year as a game developer, all which has helped lead to my working prototype.
“While the tool was inspired by my dyslexia, it has a much wider appeal and early feedback has come from users with and without learning difficulties.
“Everyone likes something different. Some like the AI correcting their text, others like the dictation or the reading.
“It can also have huge benefits for people who struggle with reading on screen or dexterity issues with typing.
“There are so many people who could benefit, not just people with dyslexia.”
Angelus’s design is on show until 5 June at the university’s Newton building, City Campus.
Dr Joseph Stewart, Senior Lecturer in Product Design at NTU, who oversaw the project, said: “Angelus has taken his personal experience with dyslexia and turned it into a product that could benefit millions of people.
“His concept demonstrates how inclusive design thinking can help create technologies that remove barriers to learning and create efficiencies with day-to-day tasks.
“His working prototype already supports him in his studies, and user feedback shows that the technology could also benefit people without learning difficulties.”
Notes for Editors
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Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has been named UK ‘University of the Year’ five times in six years, (Times Higher Education Awards 2017, The Guardian University Awards 2019, The Times and Sunday Times 2018 and 2023, Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023) and is consistently one of the top performing modern universities in the UK.
Students have voted us the best university in the UK and 1st in the UK for student employability (Uni Compare 2025).
NTU is 4th in the UK for number of undergraduate students (HESA 2023-24) with over 36,000 students and more than 4,000 staff located across six campuses. It has an international student population of 6,000 and an NTU community representing over 160 countries.
NTU owns two Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for outstanding achievements in research (2015, 2021). The first recognises NTU’s research on the safety and security of global citizens. The second was awarded for research in science, engineering, arts and humanities to investigate and restore cultural objects, buildings and heritage. The Research Excellence Framework (2021) classed 83% of NTU’s research activity as either world-leading or internationally excellent.
NTU was awarded GOLD in the national 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) assessment.
NTU is a top 10 for sport (British Universities and Colleges Sport league table 2025) and was named as Sports University of the Year (Daily Mail University Guide 2025). It has also been ranked as 25th in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2026.
NTU is a holder of the University Mental Health Charter recognising the commitment an institution has shown towards continuous improvement in the area of mental health and wellbeing.
NTU is the most environmentally sustainable university in the UK and second in the world (UI Green Metric University World Rankings, 2024).