- On-going Project -
PROJECT IRIS
Being the product first of its kind in the Indian market, it faces no competition. Alongside, upon one-to-one interaction with visually impaired people and collected survey details as mentioned in market research, there is found to be an immediate need for the product among the user community.
Project Iris will shed light on the needs of India’s large community of visually impaired persons. As you can easily see, Indian currency is filled with symbols of the nation’s history, culture, and institutions. Each bill bursts with color and overflows with information. The notes, used by millions of people everyday, support the flow of commerce and the livelihoods of every citizen. Obviously, the function of currency is indispensable to society. Yet its utility and convenience often excludes one numerous group – the visually impaired.
In India, some sporadic issues have been raised to make the currency note in harmony with its usage by the visually impaired community; however it’s not always easy to change the system. Indian currency policies have not been beneficial for the visually impaired. The 15 million populations of visually impaired people in India are helpless when it comes to currency detection; no standard policy exists for their aid. Distinguishable embossing has been provided at the left side of different denominations. However, the surface attributes of the notes tend to degrade with time due to abrasion and varying handling practices. In general, it is observed that the embossing is not efficiently serving the purpose it is intended for. Simple low cost device that can help these marginalized visually impaired populations to adjust to the existing system for their day-to-day life self-independence is needed.
We look forward to launch a range of products for the visually impaired community of India (which is at present 25% of the world’s visually impaired population) so as for their self-independence while dealing with monetary matters. The product is a simple mechanical tool for visually impaired.
Device ‘Iris’ is a low cost, highly reproducible, light weight, pocket size, easy-to-use mechanical device that will help identify Indian currency to the visually impaired people. The device will ensure independence of visually impaired people while dealing in monetary transactions and empowering them for day-to-day life. The product has been designed by the engineers and professors at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati.
Project 'Iris' will be conducted in two phases, Phase I is to empower visually impaired (VI) masses with the currency indicator device. It is imperative to note that the device is simple and easy-to-use and does not require any prior training for its usage.
Phase II of the project is to have an education program for the visually impaired population those who are using the device and the probable VI those would have the benefit of the program. This education program is highly essential to help them motivate, find their innate skills and enrich them. So that it encourages them for a self sufficient life. This holistic project is intended to make to them self sufficient through education and vocational training.
Features
• Simplicity and high reproducibility give it an edge over other (often electronic) readers that are expensive and suffer from low reproducibility.
• Extremely durable, as it contains no complex mechanical or electrical parts.
• Its market price is expected to be about 20/-, hence it can easily be purchased or subsidized.
• The denominator’s small size (93mm x 75mm) and light weight make it simple to carry in a pocket or purse.
• It is easy to learn and handle; no prior training is required to use the detector; any visually impaired individual, able to read Braille will benefit. Thos who can not read Braille, distinguishable embossing that are been provided at the left side of different denominations are provided near the reading written in Braille.
• Low capital investment for its production.
• The product is highly reliable, robust, and requires no battery; once purchased it will last for years.
• It requires no change in existing currency policies, granting visually impaired people independence in discerning denominations of notes right now, despite baffling currency attributes.
• The prototype has been made; no special technology or laboratory facilities are required.
Awards and Recognition
It is often difficult to design simple solutions with an impact. But at IIT Guwahati, keeping up the spirit of innovation, Hari Singhal with the supervision of Professor Harshal Nemade developed the ingenious, yet simple, design for this low-cost device, and an Indian patent has been filed.
• In December 2006, it was judged best engineering project nationwide and was awarded a gold medal at the Intel IRIS competition a collaborative effort by Intel, the Department of Science and Technology, and the Confederation of Indian Industry.• The denominator was among the top five items in IDEAZ IIT Bombay, Pan IIT Alumni Business Idea competition.
• Owing to the simplicity and social impact of the product, it was featured in an October 2007 NDTV (India’s Premier news channel) program, “The Next Big Thing”.
Launch
Zonal Launch is being planned out right now. Funds are needed to enable mass production and distribution of the device. Roll out Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the project.
This proven denominator empowers the blind and visually impaired, building their confidence in conducting day-to-day monetary transactions. As our National survey says ‘As per the findings of the survey, 69% of the VI population goes shopping directly by themselves. 63% of those surveyed said that they are involved in daily monetary transactions. More than 30% do not trust people/shop vendors and about 25% of them feel being cheated while doing the transactions. 72% of them feel the need of a device in hand to identify currency and 86% are willing to trust and buy the currency denominating device. 83% of the visually impaired people surveyed feel that the device will empower them and enhance self-confidence.