[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.50,0:00:05.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Frugal Digital is essentially a small research group at C.I.D.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:05.79,0:00:07.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where we are looking to find
Dialogue: 0,0:00:07.93,0:00:12.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,alternate visions of how to create a digitally inclusive society.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.47,0:00:14.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's what we're after.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:14.28,0:00:16.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we do this because we actually believe
Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.46,0:00:19.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that silicon technology today is mostly about
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.73,0:00:21.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a culture of excess.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:21.48,0:00:23.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's about the fastest and the most efficient
Dialogue: 0,0:00:23.66,0:00:26.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the most dazzling gadget you can have,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.09,0:00:28.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,while about two-thirds of the world
Dialogue: 0,0:00:28.98,0:00:32.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can hardly reach the most basic of this technology
Dialogue: 0,0:00:32.67,0:00:36.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to even address fundamental needs in life,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:36.25,0:00:38.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,including health care, education
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.42,0:00:42.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and all these kinds of very fundamental issues.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:42.50,0:00:45.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So before I start, I want to talk about a little anecdote,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.74,0:00:49.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a little story about a man I met once in Mumbai.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.77,0:00:51.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So this man, his name is Sathi Shri.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.95,0:00:54.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He is an outstanding person,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.06,0:00:56.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because he's a small entrepreneur.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:56.20,0:00:57.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He runs a little shop
Dialogue: 0,0:00:57.94,0:00:59.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in one of the back streets of Mumbai.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:59.95,0:01:02.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He has this little 10-square-meter store,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.100,0:01:05.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where so much is being done.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:05.14,0:01:07.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's incredible, because I couldn't believe my eyes
Dialogue: 0,0:01:07.05,0:01:09.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when I once just happened to bump into him.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:09.53,0:01:11.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Basically, what he does is, he has all these services
Dialogue: 0,0:01:11.66,0:01:14.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for micro-payments and booking tickets
Dialogue: 0,0:01:14.41,0:01:17.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and all kinds of basic things that you would go online for,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:17.74,0:01:19.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but he does it for people offline
Dialogue: 0,0:01:19.93,0:01:21.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and connects to the digital world.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:21.93,0:01:23.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,More importantly, he makes his money
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.44,0:01:26.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by selling these mobile recharge coupons, you know,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:26.03,0:01:28.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for the prepaid subscriptions.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:28.30,0:01:31.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But then, in the backside, he's got this little nook
Dialogue: 0,0:01:31.54,0:01:34.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with a few of his employees
Dialogue: 0,0:01:34.12,0:01:36.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where they can fix almost anything.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.70,0:01:39.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Any cell phone, any gadget you can bring them, they can fix it.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:39.96,0:01:43.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it's pretty incredible because I took my iPhone there,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:43.08,0:01:45.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and he was like, "Yeah, do you want an upgrade?"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.25,0:01:47.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Yes." (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:47.56,0:01:49.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was a bit skeptical, but then, I decided
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.50,0:01:54.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to give him a Nokia instead. (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:54.14,0:01:59.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But what I was amazed about is this reverse engineering
Dialogue: 0,0:01:59.35,0:02:04.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and know-how that's built into this little two meters of space.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:04.30,0:02:06.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They have figured out everything that's required
Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.90,0:02:08.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to dismantle, take things apart,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:08.92,0:02:11.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,rewrite the circuitry, re-flash the firmware,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:11.88,0:02:13.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,do whatever you want to with the phone,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.85,0:02:16.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they can fix anything so quickly.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:16.42,0:02:18.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You can hand over a phone this morning
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.42,0:02:20.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you can go pick it up after lunch,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:20.34,0:02:22.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it was quite incredible.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.26,0:02:23.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But then we were wondering whether this is
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.83,0:02:26.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a local phenomenon, or is truly global?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.37,0:02:28.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And, over time, we started understanding
Dialogue: 0,0:02:28.62,0:02:30.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and systematically researching
Dialogue: 0,0:02:30.34,0:02:32.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what this tinkering ecosystem is about,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:32.45,0:02:34.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because that is something that's happening
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.06,0:02:36.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not just in one street corner in Mumbai.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:36.09,0:02:39.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's actually happening in all parts of the country.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.20,0:02:41.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's even happening in Africa, like, for example,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.47,0:02:43.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in Cape Town we did extensive research on this.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.51,0:02:46.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Even here in Doha I found this little nook
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.71,0:02:49.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where you can get alarm clocks and watches fixed,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.60,0:02:52.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's a lot of tiny little parts. It's not easy.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.80,0:02:54.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You've got to try it on your own to believe it.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.91,0:02:56.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But what fuels this?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.46,0:02:59.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's this entire ecosystem of low-cost parts
Dialogue: 0,0:02:59.97,0:03:03.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and supplies that are produced all over the world, literally,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:03.28,0:03:07.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then redistributed to basically service this industry,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:07.04,0:03:09.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you can even buy salvaged parts.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:09.21,0:03:11.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Basically, you don't have to necessarily buy
Dialogue: 0,0:03:11.37,0:03:13.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,brand new things. You have condemned computers
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.83,0:03:15.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that are stripped apart,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:15.14,0:03:16.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you can buy salvaged components
Dialogue: 0,0:03:16.71,0:03:20.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and things that you can reassemble in a new configuration.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.53,0:03:24.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But what does this new, sort of, approach give us?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:24.01,0:03:25.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's the real question, because this is something
Dialogue: 0,0:03:25.93,0:03:28.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that's been there, part of every society
Dialogue: 0,0:03:28.16,0:03:30.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that's deprived of enough resources.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.52,0:03:32.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But there's an interesting paradigm.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:32.42,0:03:33.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There's the traditional crafts,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:33.91,0:03:35.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then there's the technology crafts.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:35.92,0:03:38.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We call it the technology crafts because these are emerging.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.12,0:03:40.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They're not something that's been established.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:40.20,0:03:42.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's not something that's institutionalized.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:42.86,0:03:44.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's not taught in universities.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:44.63,0:03:46.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's taught [by] word of mouth,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.36,0:03:48.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it's an informal education system around this.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.26,0:03:51.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we said, "What can we get out of this?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:51.07,0:03:53.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You know, like, what are the key values that we can get out of this?"
Dialogue: 0,0:03:53.80,0:03:56.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The main thing is a fix-it-locally culture,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:56.15,0:03:58.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is fantastic because it means that your product
Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.49,0:04:00.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or your service doesn't have to go through
Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.53,0:04:03.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a huge bureaucratic system to get it fixed.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.14,0:04:06.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It also affords us cheap fabrication, which is fantastic,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.22,0:04:08.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so it means that you can do a lot more with it.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:08.25,0:04:10.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then, the most important thing is,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:10.56,0:04:12.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it gives us large math for low cost.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:12.94,0:04:15.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So it means that you can actually embed
Dialogue: 0,0:04:15.27,0:04:18.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,pretty clever algorithms and lots of other kinds
Dialogue: 0,0:04:18.79,0:04:22.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of extendable ideas into really simple devices.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:22.45,0:04:27.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, what we call this is a silicon cottage industry.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.26,0:04:30.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's basically what was the system or the paradigm
Dialogue: 0,0:04:30.21,0:04:32.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,before the industrial revolution is now re-happening
Dialogue: 0,0:04:32.67,0:04:35.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a whole new way in small digital shops
Dialogue: 0,0:04:35.68,0:04:38.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,across the planet in most developing countries.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:38.76,0:04:42.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, we kind of toyed around with this idea,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:42.89,0:04:44.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we said, "What can we do with this?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:44.57,0:04:47.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Can we make a little product or a service out of it?"
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.10,0:04:49.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So one of the first things we did is this thing called
Dialogue: 0,0:04:49.52,0:04:51.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a multimedia platform. We call it a lunch box.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:51.92,0:04:54.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Basically one of the contexts that we studied was
Dialogue: 0,0:04:54.67,0:04:58.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,schools in very remote parts of India.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:58.15,0:05:01.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So there is this amazing concept called the one-teacher school,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:01.41,0:05:04.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is basically a single teacher who is a multitasker
Dialogue: 0,0:05:04.11,0:05:06.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who teaches this amazing little social setting.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.59,0:05:08.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's an informal school,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:08.13,0:05:10.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it's really about holistic education.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:10.29,0:05:11.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The only thing that they don't have
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.52,0:05:13.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is access to resources. They don't even have a textbook
Dialogue: 0,0:05:13.92,0:05:16.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sometimes, and they don't even have a proper curriculum.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:16.75,0:05:20.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we said, "What can we do to empower this teacher
Dialogue: 0,0:05:20.25,0:05:23.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to do more?" How to access the digital world?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:23.06,0:05:25.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Instead of being the sole guardian of information,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:25.62,0:05:28.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,be a facilitator to all this information.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:28.03,0:05:31.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we said, "What are the steps required to empower the teacher?"
Dialogue: 0,0:05:31.41,0:05:34.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How do you make this teacher into a digital gateway,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:34.07,0:05:36.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and how do you design an inexpensive multimedia platform
Dialogue: 0,0:05:36.60,0:05:39.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that can be constructed locally and serviced locally?"
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.59,0:05:41.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we walked around.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:41.93,0:05:44.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We went and scavenged the nearby markets,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:44.22,0:05:48.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we tried to understand, "What can we pick up that will make this happen?"
Dialogue: 0,0:05:48.24,0:05:50.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So the thing that we got
Dialogue: 0,0:05:50.77,0:05:53.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was a little mobile phone with a little pico projector
Dialogue: 0,0:05:53.98,0:05:56.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that comes for about 60 dollars.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:56.32,0:05:58.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We went a bought a flashlight with a very big battery,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:58.77,0:06:00.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and a bunch of small speakers.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.56,0:06:02.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So essentially, the mobile phone gives us
Dialogue: 0,0:06:02.86,0:06:04.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a connected multimedia platform.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.78,0:06:08.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It allows us to get online and allows us to load up files
Dialogue: 0,0:06:08.27,0:06:10.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of different formats and play them.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:10.62,0:06:13.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The flashlight gives us this really intense, bright L.E.D.,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:13.65,0:06:16.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and six hours worth of rechargeable battery pack,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:16.64,0:06:18.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the lunch box is a nice little package
Dialogue: 0,0:06:18.85,0:06:20.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in which you can put everything inside,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.90,0:06:22.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and a bunch of mini speakers to sort of
Dialogue: 0,0:06:22.46,0:06:23.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,amplify the sound large enough.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.88,0:06:27.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Believe me, those little classrooms are really noisy.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:27.42,0:06:30.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They are kids who scream at the top of their voices,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.01,0:06:31.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you really have to get above that.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:31.67,0:06:34.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we took it back to this little tinkering setup
Dialogue: 0,0:06:34.39,0:06:36.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of a mobile phone repair shop,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:36.48,0:06:37.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then the magic happens.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:37.91,0:06:39.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We dismantle the whole thing,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:39.29,0:06:41.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we reassemble it in a new configuration,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:41.65,0:06:43.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we do this hardware mashup,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:43.83,0:06:46.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,systematically training the guy how to do this.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:46.44,0:06:49.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Out comes this, a little lunch box -- form factor.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.89,0:06:56.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:06:56.72,0:06:59.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we systematically field tested,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:59.74,0:07:02.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because in the field testing we learned some
Dialogue: 0,0:07:02.10,0:07:04.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,important lessons, and we went through many iterations.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:04.62,0:07:07.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One of the key issues was battery consumption and charging.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.32,0:07:11.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Luminosity was an issue, when you have too much bright sunlight outside.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:11.29,0:07:13.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Often the roofs are broken, so you don't have enough
Dialogue: 0,0:07:13.85,0:07:16.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,darkness in the classroom to do these things.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:16.97,0:07:19.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We extended this idea. We tested it many times over,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:19.82,0:07:22.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the next version we came up with was a box
Dialogue: 0,0:07:22.39,0:07:24.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that kind of could trickle charge on solar energy,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.77,0:07:27.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but most importantly connect to a car battery,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:27.57,0:07:30.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because a car battery is a ubiquitous source of power
Dialogue: 0,0:07:30.57,0:07:32.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in places where there's not enough electricity
Dialogue: 0,0:07:32.77,0:07:34.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or erratic electricity.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:34.73,0:07:36.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the other key thing that we did was
Dialogue: 0,0:07:36.70,0:07:39.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,make this box run off a USB key, because we realized
Dialogue: 0,0:07:39.16,0:07:42.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that even though there was GPRS and all that on paper,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:42.52,0:07:45.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at least, in theory, it was much more efficient
Dialogue: 0,0:07:45.09,0:07:48.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to send the data on a little USB key by surface mail.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:48.98,0:07:50.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It might take a few days to get there,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.82,0:07:53.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but at least it gets there in high definition
Dialogue: 0,0:07:53.20,0:07:55.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and in a reliable quality.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:55.41,0:07:57.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we made this box, and we tested it again
Dialogue: 0,0:07:57.70,0:07:59.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and again and again, and we're going through
Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.23,0:08:00.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,multiple iterations to do these things.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:00.78,0:08:03.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it's not limited to just education.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:03.75,0:08:05.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This kind of a technique or metrology
Dialogue: 0,0:08:05.61,0:08:07.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can actually be applied to other kinds of areas,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:07.63,0:08:09.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I'm going to tell you one more little story.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:09.53,0:08:11.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's about this little device called a medi-meter.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:11.99,0:08:15.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's basically a little health care screening tool that we developed.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:15.36,0:08:18.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In India, there is a context of these amazing people,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.68,0:08:20.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the health care workers called ASHA workers.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:20.96,0:08:23.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They are essentially foot soldiers for the health care system
Dialogue: 0,0:08:23.38,0:08:25.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who live in the local community and are trained
Dialogue: 0,0:08:25.76,0:08:28.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with basic tools and basic concepts of health care,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:28.33,0:08:32.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the main purpose is basically to inform people
Dialogue: 0,0:08:32.09,0:08:35.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to basically, how to lead a better life, but also
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.63,0:08:38.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to divert or sort of make recommendations
Dialogue: 0,0:08:38.85,0:08:41.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of what kind of health care should they approach?
Dialogue: 0,0:08:41.53,0:08:44.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They are basically referral services, essentially.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:44.24,0:08:46.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But the problem with that is that we realized
Dialogue: 0,0:08:46.55,0:08:50.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,after a bunch of research that they are amazing
Dialogue: 0,0:08:50.74,0:08:53.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at referring people to the nearest clinic
Dialogue: 0,0:08:53.22,0:08:56.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or the public health care system, but what happens at the
Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.09,0:09:00.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,public health care system is this: these incredibly long lines
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.17,0:09:02.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and too many people who overload the system
Dialogue: 0,0:09:02.98,0:09:05.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,simply because there's not enough doctors and facilities
Dialogue: 0,0:09:05.54,0:09:07.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for the population that's being referred.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:07.75,0:09:09.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So everything from a common cold
Dialogue: 0,0:09:09.87,0:09:12.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to a serious case of malaria gets almost the same
Dialogue: 0,0:09:12.53,0:09:15.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,level of attention, and there's no priorities.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.57,0:09:17.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we said, "Come on, there's got to be a better way
Dialogue: 0,0:09:17.64,0:09:19.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of doing this for sure."
Dialogue: 0,0:09:19.44,0:09:22.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we said, "What can we do with the ASHA worker
Dialogue: 0,0:09:22.02,0:09:25.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that'll allow this ASHA worker to become an interesting filter,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.95,0:09:28.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but not just a filter, a really well thought through referral
Dialogue: 0,0:09:28.46,0:09:31.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,system that allows load balancing of the network,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:31.95,0:09:35.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and directs patients to different sources of health care
Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.88,0:09:39.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,based on the severity or the criticalness of those situations?"
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.76,0:09:41.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So the real key question was,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:41.75,0:09:43.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how do we empower this woman?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:43.41,0:09:45.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How do we empower her with simple tools
Dialogue: 0,0:09:45.34,0:09:48.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that's not diagnostic but more screening in nature
Dialogue: 0,0:09:48.29,0:09:52.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so she at least knows how to advise the patients better?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:52.07,0:09:54.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that'll make such a huge difference on the system,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:54.10,0:09:59.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because the amount of waiting time and the amount of
Dialogue: 0,0:09:59.02,0:10:00.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,distances that people need to travel, often sometimes
Dialogue: 0,0:10:00.94,0:10:03.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,seven to 15 kilometers, sometimes by foot,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:03.61,0:10:09.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to get a simple health check done, is very, very detrimental
Dialogue: 0,0:10:09.07,0:10:11.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the sense that it really dissuades people
Dialogue: 0,0:10:11.53,0:10:13.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from getting access to health care.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:13.54,0:10:15.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So if there was something that she could do,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:15.57,0:10:16.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that would be amazing.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:16.68,0:10:19.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So what we did was that we converted this device
Dialogue: 0,0:10:19.74,0:10:21.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,into a medical device.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:21.56,0:10:22.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I want to demo this actually,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:22.84,0:10:25.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because it's a very simple process.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:25.51,0:10:27.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Bruno, do you want to join us? (Cheers)
Dialogue: 0,0:10:27.92,0:10:34.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Come along. (Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:10:34.12,0:10:37.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, what we're going to do is that
Dialogue: 0,0:10:37.04,0:10:40.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we're going to measure a few basic parameters on you,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:40.02,0:10:42.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,including your pulse rate and the amount of oxygen
Dialogue: 0,0:10:42.87,0:10:44.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that's there in your blood.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:44.74,0:10:48.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So you're going to put your thumb on top of this.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:48.04,0:10:49.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Bruno Giussani: Like this, works?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:49.81,0:10:51.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Vinay Venkatraman: Yeah. That's right. BG: Okay.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:51.48,0:10:55.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,VV: So I'm going to start it up. I hope it works.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:55.48,0:10:59.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Beeps) It even beeps, because it's an alarm clock, after all.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:59.83,0:11:01.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So ... (Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:11:01.84,0:11:06.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I take it into the start position, and then
Dialogue: 0,0:11:06.24,0:11:09.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I press the read button. (Beeps)
Dialogue: 0,0:11:09.85,0:11:15.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So it's taking a little reading from you. (Beeps)
Dialogue: 0,0:11:15.33,0:11:18.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then the pointer goes and points to three different options.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:18.11,0:11:21.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let's see what happens here.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:21.38,0:11:23.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Beeps) Oh Bruno, you can go home, actually.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:23.46,0:11:27.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,BG: Great. Good news. (Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:11:27.30,0:11:29.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,VV: So ... (Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:11:29.65,0:11:32.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So the thing about this is that
Dialogue: 0,0:11:32.86,0:11:36.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if the pointer, unfortunately, had pointed to the red spot,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:36.97,0:11:38.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we would have to rush you to a hospital.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:38.81,0:11:42.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Luckily, not today. And if it had pointed to the orange
Dialogue: 0,0:11:42.93,0:11:45.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or the amber, it basically meant you had to have,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:45.76,0:11:48.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sort of, more continuous care from the health care worker.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:48.81,0:11:51.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So that was a very simple three-step screening process
Dialogue: 0,0:11:51.16,0:11:53.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that could basically change the equation
Dialogue: 0,0:11:53.27,0:11:56.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of how public health care works in so many different ways.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:56.01,0:11:57.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,BG: Thank you for the good news. VV: Yeah.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:57.91,0:12:02.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:12:02.30,0:12:05.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, very briefly, I'll just explain to you how this is done,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:05.74,0:12:08.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because that's the more interesting part.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:08.03,0:12:10.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So essentially, the three things that are required
Dialogue: 0,0:12:10.73,0:12:15.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to make this conversion from this guy to this guy
Dialogue: 0,0:12:15.26,0:12:19.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is a cheap remote control for a television
Dialogue: 0,0:12:19.38,0:12:22.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that you can almost find in every home today,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:22.30,0:12:26.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,some parts from a computer mouse, basically,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:26.01,0:12:29.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,something that you can scavenge for very low cost,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:29.87,0:12:32.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and a few parts that have to be pre-programmed.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:32.78,0:12:35.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Basically this is a micro-controller with a few
Dialogue: 0,0:12:35.18,0:12:37.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,extra components that can be shipped for very little cost
Dialogue: 0,0:12:37.98,0:12:40.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,across the world, and that's what is all required
Dialogue: 0,0:12:40.97,0:12:43.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with a little bit of local tinkering talent
Dialogue: 0,0:12:43.36,0:12:46.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to convert the device into something else.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:46.15,0:12:49.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So we are right now doing some systematic field tests
Dialogue: 0,0:12:49.55,0:12:52.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to basically ascertain whether something like this actually
Dialogue: 0,0:12:52.60,0:12:54.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,makes sense to the ASHA worker.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:54.16,0:12:57.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We are going through some reference tests to compare it
Dialogue: 0,0:12:57.71,0:13:01.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,against professional equipment to see if there's a degree
Dialogue: 0,0:13:01.16,0:13:03.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of change in efficacy and if it actually makes an impact
Dialogue: 0,0:13:03.49,0:13:06.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in people's lives. But most importantly,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:06.10,0:13:07.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what we are trying to do right now
Dialogue: 0,0:13:07.89,0:13:10.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is we are trying to scale this up, because there
Dialogue: 0,0:13:10.14,0:13:12.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are over 250,000 ASHA workers on the ground
Dialogue: 0,0:13:12.83,0:13:15.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who are these amazing foot soldiers, and if we can
Dialogue: 0,0:13:15.57,0:13:19.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,give at least a fraction of them the access to these things,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:19.13,0:13:22.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it just changes the way the economics of public health care
Dialogue: 0,0:13:22.09,0:13:25.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,works, and it changes the way systems actually function,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:25.10,0:13:29.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not just on a systematic planning level,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:29.36,0:13:32.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but also in a very grassroots, bottom-up level.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:32.55,0:13:35.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So that's it, and we hope to do this in a big way.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:35.35,0:13:38.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you. (Applause)
Dialogue: 0,0:13:38.51,0:13:47.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)