Mobile Phones may be the Right Devices for SupportingDeveloping World Accessibility, but is the WWW the

Right Service Delivery Model?

Tapan S. ParikhDept. of Computer Science and Engineering

University of Washington

W4A 2006 - EdinburghMay 23rd, 2006

Environmental challengesEnvironmental challenges– Temporally intermittent powerTemporally intermittent power– Spatially intermittent connectivitySpatially intermittent connectivity– Difficult roads and transportationDifficult roads and transportation– Lack of buildings and infrastructureLack of buildings and infrastructure

User challengesUser challenges– Low purchasing powerLow purchasing power– Limited literacy and educational opptysLimited literacy and educational opptys– Many languages and scriptsMany languages and scripts– Ubiquity of paper-based processesUbiquity of paper-based processes

Rural Computing Challenges

Hardware is a great fit for rural conditionsHardware is a great fit for rural conditions– Battery-powered, networked, low-costBattery-powered, networked, low-cost– Numeric keypad familiar to billions of usersNumeric keypad familiar to billions of users– Immediate utility of voice communicationsImmediate utility of voice communications

MobileMobile agentsagents can collect data and provide servicescan collect data and provide services– Common strategy for offering rural servicesCommon strategy for offering rural services– Convenient for users / clientsConvenient for users / clients– Leverage underemployed local workforceLeverage underemployed local workforce

But...But... mobile apps are hard to use and developmobile apps are hard to use and develop

The Economist, Mar 10, 2005

Mobile Phones as Rural Computers

CAM: Mobile Paper Programming Toolkit

CAMBrowsermobile phone appto process forms

CAMFormsinteractive forms

CAMScriptscripting languagefor form interaction

CAMBrowsermobile phone appto process forms

<function name=”a_click”>d = input_date(“Date”, “date.wav”);i = input_int(“Interest”, “int.wav”);p = input_int(“Principal”, “pri.wav”);if (d & p & i)http_put(“...”);

</function>

<function name=”a_click”>date = input_date(“Enter Date” “date.wav”);amt = input_int(“Enter Amount”, “amount.wav”);message_note(“Say your name”,”sayname.wav”);record_audio(“name.wav”);if (amt != 0)email(“tap2k@yahoo.com”, “a=”#amt, “name.wav”);

</function>

CAM: System FeaturesNavigationNavigation

– Barcodes and printed numeric stringsBarcodes and printed numeric stringsused to access records and functionsused to access records and functions

Content -Content - XML scripting languageXML scripting language– API for accessing phone featuresAPI for accessing phone features– Audio, video - play and recordAudio, video - play and record

NetworkingNetworking

– SynchronousSynchronous– AsynchronousAsynchronous

Small screenSmall screen -- Sequential interaction limits decision-makingSequential interaction limits decision-making

Microphone / SpeakerMicrophone / Speaker -- Audio feedback reinforces “dialog”-styleAudio feedback reinforces “dialog”-style

CameraCamera -- Physical, paper-based navigation and data entryPhysical, paper-based navigation and data entry

Numeric KeypadNumeric Keypad -- Reduces literacy and localization requirementsReduces literacy and localization requirements

MessagingMessaging -- Provides offline access; Reduces UI latencyProvides offline access; Reduces UI latency

Leveraging Mobile Phone “Features”

CAM vs. other mobile platformsXHTML / WAP Layout syntax. Navigate using URLs, links and scrolling.

Usually requires online connection

IVR / VoiceXML Scripted syntax? Navigate using voice commands andDTMF codes. Usually requires online connection.

SMS / MMS No client interactivity. Navigate using numeric / textualstrings. Supports offline connection.

Java / Symbian Compiled OO syntax. Navigate using menu / widgets.NET / BREW Supports offline connection.

CAM Scripted syntax. Navigate using printed barcodes andnumeric / text strings. Supports offline connection

Supply ChainSupply Chain Javid and ParikhJavid and Parikh -- ICTDICTD 20062006

– Track distribution of productsTrack distribution of products

– Manage inventory at rural warehousesManage inventory at rural warehouses

– Integrated with location trackingIntegrated with location tracking

MicrofinanceMicrofinance Parikh et al. - CHI 2006Parikh et al. - CHI 2006

– Capture financial transactionsCapture financial transactions

– Monitor clients and loansMonitor clients and loans

– Reduce cost of service deliveryReduce cost of service delivery

Health MonitoringHealth Monitoring– Monitor disease outbreaksMonitor disease outbreaks

– Link to electronic patient recordsLink to electronic patient records

CAM Applications

A new framework for rural mobile information servicesA new framework for rural mobile information services– Leverage paper / mobile synergiesLeverage paper / mobile synergies– Unique feature set for user / device / environmentUnique feature set for user / device / environment

Many potential applicationsMany potential applications– Amortize costs across many users and servicesAmortize costs across many users and services– Browser to be released under an open source licenseBrowser to be released under an open source license

Lots of potential valueLots of potential value– Villages will benefit by managing information betterVillages will benefit by managing information better– World will benefit by building linkages with villagesWorld will benefit by building linkages with villages

Come to my (longer) talkCome to my (longer) talk tomorrow at 4PMtomorrow at 4PM in Ochil-Cin Ochil-C

Conclusions

Anil K. Gupta, Vijay Pratap Singh Aditya, Jaimin, Bhavin,Anil K. Gupta, Vijay Pratap Singh Aditya, Jaimin, Bhavin,Rushabh, Nilesh, Bharat, Kinjal, Kartik, Bhimsibhai,Rushabh, Nilesh, Bharat, Kinjal, Kartik, Bhimsibhai,Narayanbhai, Kaushik Ghosh, Apala Chavan, Sarit Arora,Narayanbhai, Kaushik Ghosh, Apala Chavan, Sarit Arora,Puneet Syal, Sasi Kumar, Paul Javid, Annaji, John, Bala,Puneet Syal, Sasi Kumar, Paul Javid, Annaji, John, Bala,Swami, Muthu, Ed Lazowska, David Notkin, James Landay,Swami, Muthu, Ed Lazowska, David Notkin, James Landay,Richard Anderson, Gaetano Borriello, Ken Fishkin, ScottRichard Anderson, Gaetano Borriello, Ken Fishkin, ScottKlemmer, Kentaro Toyama, Eric Brewer, SRISTI, IIM-A, CCD,Klemmer, Kentaro Toyama, Eric Brewer, SRISTI, IIM-A, CCD,Mahakalasm SHG Federations, Media Lab Asia, HFI-India,Mahakalasm SHG Federations, Media Lab Asia, HFI-India,HLFPPT, UWCSE, MLC, Intel, Microsoft Research India,HLFPPT, UWCSE, MLC, Intel, Microsoft Research India,David Bonderman, SEEP, IDRC, Sarai, ekgaon technologiesDavid Bonderman, SEEP, IDRC, Sarai, ekgaon technologiesand everyone else I have had the pleasure to work with.and everyone else I have had the pleasure to work with.

Thanks for all the Fish

Self-Help Groups (SHGs)Self-Help Groups (SHGs) areare member-ownedmember-owned microfinancemicrofinancegroupsgroups

– 12-20 members, over 1m SHGs in India (90% women)12-20 members, over 1m SHGs in India (90% women)

– Members from poor, disadvantaged classesMembers from poor, disadvantaged classes

– Save money during meetings, make small loans forSave money during meetings, make small loans forstarting a business, buying livestock, education, etc.starting a business, buying livestock, education, etc.

– Repayment based on peer pressureRepayment based on peer pressure

– Similar groups exist worldwide – Grameen, VillageSimilar groups exist worldwide – Grameen, VillageBanking, Credit Unions, ROSCAs, etc.Banking, Credit Unions, ROSCAs, etc.

Example App : MIS for SHGs

SHG MIS using CAM

•Online accounting and reporting service for SHGsOnline accounting and reporting service for SHGs

•Conducting pilot in Tamil Nadu, IndiaConducting pilot in Tamil Nadu, India

•Reports will be provided to NGO and banksReports will be provided to NGO and banks

Task: Record transactions during SHG meetingTask: Record transactions during SHG meeting– ““Controlled” and in-field testing during real meetingsControlled” and in-field testing during real meetings– Using barcode navigationUsing barcode navigation– Users: 14 NGO field staff from villagesUsers: 14 NGO field staff from villages– Literate - 7Literate - 7thth grade to college educationgrade to college education

Results: Mobile phonesResults: Mobile phones areare a usable solutiona usable solution– Learned system within 3 daysLearned system within 3 days– Avg 30 secs per form, 8-10 mins per meetingAvg 30 secs per form, 8-10 mins per meeting– Less than 1% error rateLess than 1% error rate– All users described interface asAll users described interface as very easyvery easy oror easyeasy

Usability Testing Parikh et al. - CHI 2006

Paper / Tangible UIsPaper / Tangible UIs –– XAX (CHI 1993), Navicam (CHIXAX (CHI 1993), Navicam (CHI1995), Paper PDA (CHI 1999), Cybercode (DARE 2000),1995), Paper PDA (CHI 1999), Cybercode (DARE 2000),Cooltown (WWW 2001), A-Book (UIST 2002), Books withCooltown (WWW 2001), A-Book (UIST 2002), Books withVoices (CHI 2003), PADD (UIST 2003), Visual CodesVoices (CHI 2003), PADD (UIST 2003), Visual Codes(Pervasive 2005), Semacode, Spotcode, QR codes(Pervasive 2005), Semacode, Spotcode, QR codes

Mobile UIsMobile UIs –– West (UIST 1999), PowerBrowser (CHI 2000),West (UIST 1999), PowerBrowser (CHI 2000),Dial-And-See (UIST 2005), WAP, SMS, IVRDial-And-See (UIST 2005), WAP, SMS, IVR

Technology for Developing WorldTechnology for Developing World –– Grisedale etGrisedale etal. (CHI 1997), Daknet, TEK, TIER, DSH, $100 Laptop, etc.al. (CHI 1997), Daknet, TEK, TIER, DSH, $100 Laptop, etc.

Mobile Microfinance Data CollectionMobile Microfinance Data Collection ––Compartamos / Accion, SKS, HP Rural Transaction SystemCompartamos / Accion, SKS, HP Rural Transaction System

Related Work

4.8B people live in developing countries (many in rural areas)4.8B people live in developing countries (many in rural areas)

Rural developing world people have many information andRural developing world people have many information andcommunication needscommunication needs

– Manage financesManage finances– Learn about business opportunitiesLearn about business opportunities– Access government servicesAccess government services– Access medical guidanceAccess medical guidance– Communicate with friends and familyCommunicate with friends and family– Transact with customers, suppliersTransact with customers, suppliers

Mostly met by 'analog' meansMostly met by 'analog' means– Paper, fax, voice communications, physical exchangePaper, fax, voice communications, physical exchange

The Rural Developing World

– Easy to UseEasy to Use: Deal with all classes of novice users: Deal with all classes of novice users

– Easy to TeachEasy to Teach: Conveyed by: Conveyed by word of mouthword of mouth

– Easy to DistributeEasy to Distribute: Remotely, and person-to-person: Remotely, and person-to-person

– Easy to ShareEasy to Share: Individuals cant afford devices: Individuals cant afford devices

– Easy to DevelopEasy to Develop: Allow local content and applications: Allow local content and applications

– FlexibleFlexible: Language, culture, infrastructure varies: Language, culture, infrastructure varies

– TrustedTrusted: By both users and community: By both users and community

– Serving a NeedServing a Need: Technology is a big investment: Technology is a big investment

8 Rules for Rural Computing

– Easy to UseEasy to Use: Demonstrated for novice rural users: Demonstrated for novice rural users

– Easy to TeachEasy to Teach: Simple 1-step interaction model: Simple 1-step interaction model

– Easy to DistributeEasy to Distribute: Paper, Numbers, Messages: Paper, Numbers, Messages

– Easy to ShareEasy to Share: One a: One agent can serve many villagesgent can serve many villages

– Easy to DevelopEasy to Develop: XML-based scripting language: XML-based scripting language

– Flexible:Flexible: Mobile Phones, SMTP, Numbers, Audio, ImagesMobile Phones, SMTP, Numbers, Audio, Images

– TrustedTrusted: Audio and video, linkage to paper records: Audio and video, linkage to paper records

– Serve a NeedServe a Need: Several economically relevant apps: Several economically relevant apps

8 Rules for Rural Computing

events

objects

stories

analysis access

knowledge

multimedia

paper

123numbers

CAM

Vision: Breaking the Information Chains

Which CAMWhich CAM applicationsapplications can have the mostcan have the most ImpactImpact??

– Huge potential in microfinance and related areasHuge potential in microfinance and related areas

– Security, Trust, Privacy,Security, Trust, Privacy, TransparencyTransparency

Can this system be used forCan this system be used for Other Naïve UsersOther Naïve Users??

What does our design mean forWhat does our design mean for Mobile Device DesignMobile Device Design??

Can we make it easy toCan we make it easy to OfferOffer Knowledge-based ServicesKnowledge-based Services??

How does this all contribute toHow does this all contribute to Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable Development??

Future Work

• Honey Bee Network sharesHoney Bee Network shares local knowledge and grassrootlocal knowledge and grassrootinnovationinnovation

• Publishes regional magazinesPublishes regional magazines– agricultural practices and other innovationsagricultural practices and other innovations

• Interested in finding new ways to share content andInterested in finding new ways to share content andfacilitate multi-stakeholder communicationfacilitate multi-stakeholder communication

• Visual Basic app with multi-media distributed databaseVisual Basic app with multi-media distributed databasewith asynchronous updates and messagingwith asynchronous updates and messaging

• Implemented at kiosks in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh,Implemented at kiosks in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh,Maharashtra and Tamil NaduMaharashtra and Tamil Nadu

Knownet-GrinKnowledge Network for Grassroot Innovators: A Honey Bee Project

Importance of PaperImportance of Paper– Ubiquitous in existing work practicesUbiquitous in existing work practices– Understanding tied to current tabular formatsUnderstanding tied to current tabular formats

Numeric Input / OutputNumeric Input / Output– Calculators are commonly usedCalculators are commonly used– Even semi-literate users can input numbersEven semi-literate users can input numbers– Avoids local language inputAvoids local language input

Audio OutputAudio Output– Local language audio great for building rapportLocal language audio great for building rapport– Accessible to semi-literate and illiterate usersAccessible to semi-literate and illiterate users

Hisaab: Design ObservationsParikh, Ghosh, Chavan et al. - CHI 2003, CUU 2003 (Best Paper)

Banks would love to work with SHGsBanks would love to work with SHGs– Demand for capital exceeds supplyDemand for capital exceeds supply– Excellent performance (90-98% repayment)Excellent performance (90-98% repayment)– Fulfill social (andFulfill social (and regulatoryregulatory) objectives) objectives

However, there are many obstaclesHowever, there are many obstacles– Members have little or no educationMembers have little or no education– Many practices are inconsistentMany practices are inconsistent– Groups spread across remote rural areasGroups spread across remote rural areas– Expensive to collect information and moneyExpensive to collect information and money

Scaling Microfinance in India

Information systems are key to scaling microfinanceInformation systems are key to scaling microfinance– Transaction processingTransaction processing– Monitor members and groupsMonitor members and groups– Analyse performance and impactAnalyse performance and impact– Offer more servicesOffer more services– Link to formal institutionsLink to formal institutions

Can we design a UI to document member-level SHGCan we design a UI to document member-level SHGtransactions?transactions?

– Accurate and efficientAccurate and efficient– Accessible to a variety of usersAccessible to a variety of users

Problem Statement

<function name=”a_click”>date = input_date(“Enter Date” “date.wav”);amt = input_int(“Enter Amount”, “amount.wav”);message_note(“Say your name”,”sayname.wav”);record_audio(“name.wav”);if (amt != 0)email(“tap2k@yahoo.com”, “a=”#amt, “name.wav”);

</function>

CAM: System FeaturesNavigationNavigation

– Barcodes and printed numeric stringsBarcodes and printed numeric stringsused to access records and functionsused to access records and functions

Content -Content - XML scripting languageXML scripting language– API for accessing phone featuresAPI for accessing phone features– Audio, video - play and recordAudio, video - play and record

NetworkingNetworking

– SynchronousSynchronous– AsynchronousAsynchronous