IBM, NID collaborate on mobile tech research

BANGALORE, INDIA: IBM, the National Institute of Design (NID) of India and Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology and The University of Tokyo (RCAST) today announced a new collaborative research initiative to explore an open, common user interface platform for mobile devices, to make them easier to use for the elderly, and illiterate or semi-illiterate populations in developing countries.

Software developed by IBM Research and the universities will be made available as open source, and other materials developed will be made publicly available, in order to allow governments and businesses around the world to take advantage of the technology, said a press release.

As the world’s infrastructure becomes increasingly digital and governments around the world provide information and services via websites, it is critical that the Internet be accessible to all people, including those who are illiterate, blind, deaf, or elderly, the release added. The aim of the collaborative research is to help make this possible.

IBM said the new research partnership is part of its Open Collaborative Research (OCR) program, an initiative to foster innovation through university-industry research collaboration. NID is the second institution in India to participate in the Open Collaborative Research program, while RCAST is the first university affiliated research institute in Japan.

“This collaborative research program will result in critical insights to the accessibility requirements of the elderly and people with little or no education in developing nations,” said Dr. Manish Gupta, Director, IBM Research – India and chief technologist, IBM India/SA. “With mobile phones becoming ubiquitous, these technologies will make key information sources accessible and relevant to a vast population.”

IBM said mobile phones have phenomenal penetration globally and the low cost of ownership and a simple user interface contribute to the success of mobile phones with the less literate. However, apart from basic voice communication, illiterate populations are not able to exploit the benefits of information and services available to Internet users.

IBM Research - India and NID will identify the communication needs and preferences of the non- and semi-literate population, to not only help them connect but to engage with information through mobile devices.

“By bringing IBM's deep knowledge in mobile web and NID's interface design and ethnological expertise, this initiative is aimed to develop inclusive technologies and help the underprivileged improve their lives,” said Dr. Jignesh Khakhar of NID.

IBM researchers in Tokyo and the human information engineering research team of RCAST will place their research focus on Japan's elderly population where the aging rate is growing at rapid pace, making Japan the world's most elderly population. With IBM's accessibility technology expertise and RCAST’s expertise, they will work directly with the elderly to investigate and determine real-life requirements of elderly people when using mobile devices.

In 2009, IBM's 'Spoken Web', the voice-enabled technology, was recognized with India's National Award in the category of "Technological Innovation" for best applied research aimed at improving the life of persons with disabilities, the release added.