By Kalpana Shah

Qualcomm has awarded Indian software services giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) a $100,000 grant from its BREW application funding program.

BREW (binary runtime environment for wireless) is a technology for wireless applications development, device configuration, and game development. Qualcomm has developed BREW, as well as the CDMA (code division multiple access) standard for the telecommunications industry, along with other advanced wireless technologies,

Qualcomm’s funding program challenged developers to create the most innovative BREW public service application in one of five areas: healthcare, education, public safety, governance, and the environment. TCS emerged as the grand prizewinner.

Led by Arun Pande, TCS’ head of advanced technology and applications, the application development team will demonstrate how CDMA networks can help provide specific and useful advice to farmers and spread the benefits of technology deep into rural India at an affordable cost.

India

For the grand prize, Qualcomm will also apply additional funds to put TCS’ proposal into action through a new or existing wireless project.

Wireless Soil Helpers

As cell phones begin to reach India’s hinterland, they’re being used not just for communication but also to enhance people’s quality of life.

India

“India virtually redefines the cell phone, extending it from a mere voice device to a multi-function, media-rich ubiquitous personal productivity and entertainment tool,” said Sridhar Pai, who runs the Bangalore-based research firm Tonse Telecom. “In rural areas, it will also be used as an access point for healthcare and education.”

That in fact is what TCS plans to develop. One system under development will use soil sensors to monitor moisture content and salinity. The data will be transferred to a central server via a mobile phone so the data is linked to a particular farmer. Experts can then access specific data and advise the farmer on the kinds of crops that are ideally suited to his or her patch of land.

“This will increase productivity, something that’s lacking today because farmers have little access to experts,” said Mr. Pande.

Another BREW application being developed relates to weather forecasting for farmers. Once again, a GPS-based system will assist a remote expert in giving accurate advice about sowing and related activities.

Pesticide Advice

A third application aims for the appropriate and minimum use of pesticides. Farmers will take pictures of crops and transmit them to an expert who has the above data. The correct dosage of pesticides can then be prescribed.

“Farmers use pesticides indiscriminately today and that’s leading to soil degradation,” lamented Mr. Pande. He hopes the new systems will help farmers bring their farmland back to health. He’s optimistic about using technology to solve earthy problems. “The wireless revolution will change the way India’s farms are run,” he said.

India

Other winners of the Qualcomm grant were:

·          Indonesia’s Bandung Institute of Technology, where Ph.D. student Ria L. Moedomo will build an application process and analyze poultry sales and distribution process to track and combat avian flu.

·          Beijing’s InfoQuick SinoVoice Speech Technology, where CEO Lenny Zhang and his team are building an application called Sbikit. It uses text-to-speech and automatic speech recognition technologies to assist visually impaired people communicate.

·          San Francisco-based BeWell Mobile Technology is building Asthma Assistant and Diabetes Assistant applications. The patient engagement software can be adapted to a broad range of uses for health, wellness, education, research, preventive care, and chronic disease management.

John Canny, a professor in the computer science department of the University of California, Berkeley, is developing an application called MILLEE for Mobile and Immersive Learning for Literacy in Emerging Economies. It uses game-like learning on cell phones to improve literacy.