New Delhi:
Next time you find yourself in a spot of bother, or an emergency, can technology come to your aid? Yes, says Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal whose ministry is working on the next big idea.
The ministry of Communications and Information and Technology has prepared a concept paper that proposes to make a wrist watch like device that can be used to trigger an alarm system in an emergency situation.
And this is how it will work. The gadget, fitted with a Global Positioning System (GPS) will have some pre saved numbers that may include family, friends as well the nearest police station, hospital or a doctor among other contacts. The moment a person faces an emergency or any kind of distress he or she can activate a button that will send phone calls to these pre saved numbers.
The GPS on the device will help in finding the location of the person.
The device will have also a hidden camera that can record.
"We hope in the next four weeks we will have meetings and in about six months we should be ready with the first prototype," explained Mr Sibal.
" We are trying provide technological solutions to a large number of people like senior citizens, young school children and women amongst others," he added.
Mr Sibal however said the biggest challenge for his team would be to prepare a device that doesn't cost more than Rs 500. " There are GPS devices that cost 100 dollars but they are of no use, as they are far too expensive. Our challenge would be to make it more affordable to ordinary people," said the minister.
And while it may be too early to speak about its mass production or commercial launch, the minister is confident that his team comprising techies from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) will be able to offer solutions.
However, the Minister added a word of caution. " For any solution, there are four pillars that need to be worked on. First is the mentality of people, second is building humanity, third is confidence in the security forces and fourth is technology. I am working on the fourth element; finding technological answers."