Devices v1.0
for rural India
 

Simputer - Simple Inexpensive Multilingual Computer

The Simputer is a low cost portable alternative to PCs, by which the benefits of IT can reach the common man. It has a special role in the third world because it ensures that illiteracy is no longer a barrier to handling a computer. The key to bridging the digital divide is to have shared devices that permit truly simple and natural user interfaces based on sight, touch and audio.


Details

History

The Simputer project was conceived during the organization of the Global Village, an International Seminar on Information Technology for Developing countries conducted during the first Bangalore IT.com conference in October 1998.

The Seminar highlighted the point that the key to bridging the digital divide is to have shared devices that permit truly simple and natural user interfaces based on sight, touch and sound. A challenge was made to develop a low-cost, easily available device that would deliver local-language and icon-based IT access to the masses.

The term "Simputer" was coined for the device and Simputer trust was made. The Simputer Trust comprises of academics and technologists from industry with a broad imperative of harnessing the potential of the Simputer for the benefit of all sections of society. The vision of this non-profit trust is to promote the Simputer, not as an end product but as an evolving platform for social change.


Technical Specifications

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Features

The definition of the Simputer as a Simple Inexpensive Multilingual Computer is important in surveying its uses. The Simputer is a stand-alone computing device with a simple user interface, and features like speech synthesis that make it work for very low-attainment users. Various usage models are considered, but the key to the inexpensive aspect is the shared model.

The device aim is to enable large groups of users to share one device, possibly purchased communally. Individual users are expected to own smart cards that enable them to store their information offline. A potential owner for a Simputer will thus be a village council, or a cooperative, or any group of people willing to share it. Public funds can potentially be applied towards such purchases. The simplicity aspect is addressed through a very friendly interface with intuitive panels and graphics. The shared usage model also relied on the Multilingual feature. Speech-enabled devices in homes are expected to play an inclusive role in the more remote regions of India, where literacy can be low. Users will also be able to use online communications through the devices for a variety of daily tasks that can be made easier using technology.

An alternate usage model is mediator-oriented, in which the end-users of the Simputer are traveling data gathering professionals, often working in remote parts of India. In this case, the Simputer work much like a PDA, but enabled with its unique features, it offers a potentially easier learning curve for rural grassroots workers who may or may not be literate enough to use a standard PDA.

Hardware Design decisions took into account the infrastructural shortcomings of India, yet, the Device can perform its goals best given some minimum electricity availability and wireless connectivity. But the inexpensive aspect of the device has to been seen because Simputer costs around Rs 12,000-Rs 22,000 which is very large as compared to the cost which was orignially thought. This is the main reason for the failure of the Simputer in the market.
The companies are working on reducing the cost of it. They are quite confident in taking the price down with the help ongoing tehnological adavances.

Benefits

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Simputer is not just a computer, but much more. It is small, light, infinitely versatile and packed with enough power to take computing out of room into the open world.

Market Sector

Agriculture, Education, Shops, Kiosk, Entertainment.

Manufacturer

PicoPeta Simputers Pvt. Ltd. Product Name: Amida Simputer
Encore Software Pvt. Ltd. Product Name: Encore Simputer.

Causes of Failure

Contact Information

PicoPeta Simputers Pvt. Ltd.
146, 5th Cross
RMV Extension
Bangalore - 560080, India
Ph: +91-80-23618184 to 86
Fax:+91-80-23617568
Web: http://www.amidasimputer.com/

Encore Software Ltd.
6th Floor, Leo Complex
44 and 45 Residency Cross Road
Bangalore 560 025, INDIA
Tel: +91-80-5112 4291 to 96
Fax: +91-80-2558 7690
http://www.ncoretech.com/


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