IBM, NID research on mobile technology

MUMBAI, INDIA: IBM and the National Institute of Design (NID) of India and Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo (RCAST), on Tuesday 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 would be made available as open source, and other materials developed would be made publicly available, in order to allow governments and businesses around the world to take advantage of the technology.

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

"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.

He added, “With mobile phones becoming ubiquitous, these technologies will make key information sources accessible and relevant to a vast population.” 

“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.

The new research partnership is part of the IBM's Open Collaborative Research (OCR) program, an initiative to foster innovation through university-industry research collaboration.