IBM, NID join hands for mobile technology research

Technology giant IBM today said it has partnered with the National Institute of Design (NID) and the University of Tokyo to research on making mobile devices more accessible for elderly people in the developing countries.

The collaboration, among IBM, NID and Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (University of Tokyo) is aimed at exploring user interface platform for mobile devices, IBM said in a statement.

This is to make mobile devices easier to use for the elderly and illiterate or semi-illiterate population, it added.

"This collaborative research programme will result in critical insights to the accessibility requirements of the elderly people with little or no education in developing nations," IBM India/South Asia Director (IBM Research – India) and Chief Technologist Manish Gupta said.

IBM Research - India and NID will identify the communication needs and preferences of the illiterate and semi-literate population to help them connect and engage with information through mobile devices.

The researchers will place their research focus on Japan's elderly population where the ageing rate is growing at rapid pace. They will work with the people to investigate and determine real-life requirements when they use mobile devices.