Projeto Serval – Comunicação em qualquer lugar, a qualquer hora
Esta inscrição foi selecionada como finalista no desafio
Citizen Media: A Global Innovation Competition.
Com o projeto Serval, os celulares trabalham sem infraestrutura, na ocorrência de disastres ou sem apoio do governo – fazendo apenas uso do número do seu celular.
Sobre Você
Sobre Você
Nome
Paul
Sobrenome
Gardner-Stephen
URL do Twitter
Sobre Sua Organização
Nome da Organização
Serval Project
Página da organização na internet
País da organização
Austrália
Países onde este projeto vem gerando impacto social
Austrália, SA
Sua organização é
OSCIP/ONG
Há quanto tempo sua organização está em operação?
Entre 1 e 5 anos
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INOVAÇÃO
Nome Projeto/Inovação
Projeto Serval – Comunicação em qualquer lugar, a qualquer hora
Selecione o estágio que melhor se aplica à solução
Inicial (um piloto que começou recentemente)
Há quanto tempo está em funcionamento?
Em execução entre 1 e 5 anos
A necessidade: descreva o que sua solução necessita e o tamanho e/ou a dinâmica das comunidades que você envolverá
Telecommunications, especially mobile telecommunications, depends on big infrastructure, big enterprise and functioning government. Disrupt any of these and you endanger the provision of mobile communications to people. This can be due to disaster, war, monopoly, remote location or various other reasons. Also, big infrastructure carries a big price tag, which prices telecommunications out of reach of billions. We would suggest that the often quoted statistic that 6 billion of the worlds 7 billion have a cell phone hides the fact that perhaps half of those cannot afford to make regular use of that resource due to the cost of service and/or limitations of coverage. Thus we define our target audience broadly as the approximately half of the world's population who live in an economy of scarcity of mobile communications, for whatever reason.
A solução: explique o que sua solução oferece e de que forma ela é inovadora. Como você levará sua solução para os usuários ou beneficiários? Seja específico!
We realised that cell phones have the fundamental capability to communicate directly and form a simple self-organising mesh network that is simple to use and basically behaves like a regular cellular network from an end user's perspective. So we have created open-source software that makes this a reality, using the WiFi radio in cell phones to create a P2P telephony and data service that behaves just like a regular cellular network, including using existing phone numbers -- but with absolutely no reliance on external infrastructure or authority. We have already released a developer prototype on the Android Market and are planning to port to iOS and Symbian in the near future and as we mature the software, promote it with handset vendors and carriers so that it comes pre-installed on new handsets. We have also created technology whereby one phone with our software can become a wifi hotspot and offer the software for download to other compatible phones that don't yet have the software installed. This allows for retro installation even DURING a disaster, and for communities to spread the software themselves, without requiring even a single internet connection. The software also has the means to make opportunistic use of internet connectivity to connect the local mesh telephony network to the outside world.
O modelo: mostre em detalhes um exemplo específico de como sua solução faz a diferença pelo uso de tecnologias de informação e mídias
Imagine an earthquake strikes, similar to that that recently struck Christchurch New Zealand or Haiti. Much of the mobile and fixed communications infrastructure is out. Ordinary cell phones become useless. However, some people in the area has the Serval mesh installed. These people use it to contact nearby family and friends and to coordinate their actions and support of those around them. People around them realise that these people's phones still work and ask questions. Those with the software say that their phone works because of special software, and ask if the enquirer would like it on their phone, too, because it is free. Soon more people have the software installed and are not only able to join the network, but add to its coverage. By an iterative process soon much of the affected population have local mobile telephony service again. Some users of the software are also aware that it offers a twitter-like function that lets you tweet messages with GPS coordinates, perhaps to indicate where roads or other infrastructure is damaged, or where shelter and food may be found. News spreads and soon many are using this capability to coordinate their actions, help maintain law and order, and become part of the recovery process much sooner. Some phones near the edge of the disaster can see cell towers that are still operational. The Serval software on their phones realises this, and links the mesh to the outside world.
Consider also people living in poverty, where everyday life can be viewed as a disaster zone.
O mercado: quem são seus colegas e concorrentes? Que desafios eles podem representar para seu sucesso ou crescimento?
No other party has created a system that is entirely independent of infrastructure, uses off the shelf cell phones, and existing phone numbers to create an feasible mesh telephony platform.
Skype requires internet access.
Village Telco provides only fixed-line services.
Neither allows the use of existing phone numbers.
IMPACTO SOCIAL
Temas relacionados à inscrição
Histórico da criação: queremos saber sobre seu momento "Eureca!". Compartilhe a história de onde e quando o fundador percebeu o potencial desta solução para mudar o mundo.
I remember hearing on the radio about the Haiti earthquake and how it disrupted communications in that country, and a coping mechanism thinking to myself that they would just fly new kit in. The next thing the radio said was that their airport was ruined. So I said to myself that they could drive kit by road. The next thing the radio said was that their roads were largely destroyed. So I said to myself that they could bring kit in by boat. And, you guessed it, the next thing the radio said was that their harbor was ruined. Stripped of all excuses I realised that Haiti faced a real problem, and that something had to be done. My expertise is in communications and networks so I focussed on that area, and soon came to the realisation that we needed to enable the latent capability of cell phones to form independent, self-organising telephony networks without depending on infrastructure, so that communications could not be so easily impaired, to the great detriment of society.
Especifique a intensidade e a escala de impacto social desta solução até o momento
We have created working prototype software and proven that it has the potential to address this solution. We are yet to deploy it to actually meet the needs for which it was envisaged.
Qual é o impacto projetado para os próximos 1 - 5 anos? A ideia pode ser aproveitada? Como?
As we mature the software over the coming year we also intend to start more serious trials with other organisations and communities to help them meet their own communications needs. As our solution is software which can run on off-the-shelf phones, is available via the Android Market and includes the means of self-replication when deprived of infrastructure, we anticipate that it will begin to spread widely.
As soluções vencedoras apresentam um plano elaborado de como atingirão e marcarão o crescimento. Identifique uma meta para os próximos seis meses visando ao crescimento do impacto
To mature our software from technology demonstrator to public ALPHA release
Tarefas para 6 meses
Atividade 1
Get our software to production quality and complete outstanding features
Atividade 2
Cajole Android/Google to add an ad-hoc API to Android so that our software doesn't need root access
Atividade 3
Conduct trials to identify and rectify weak points
Agora vá mais longe. Identifique uma meta de impacto para os próximos 12 meses
General public release of Serval mesh software
Tarefas para 12 meses
Atividade 1
Lots of bug fixing.
Atividade 2
Porting to iOS and Symbian
Atividade 3
Keep working with partners and governments to promote our technology and drive up-take
Quantas pessoas foram impactadas por seu projeto?
< 100
Quantas pessoas poderão ser impactadas por seu projeto nos próximos três anos?
> 10.000
SUSTENTABILIDADE
Explique como sua empresa, programa, serviço ou produto está estruturado
modelo híbrido
Que barreiras impediram o sucesso de seu projeto até agora? Como você planeja superar esses e outros desafios para fazer seu projeto crescer?
- getting it finished! We have recently secured some great grants that will help us do just that.
- Mesh networking currently requires "root" or "Administrator" access on most phone platforms. We have some cunning plans for root-less overlay mesh networking which we are in the process of building out right now.
Que tipo de mudanças você prevê para os setores de tecnologia da informação e de mídia na próxima década? Como sua solução se adaptará para refletir o ambiente em mudança? Como sua solução estimulará essa mudança?
IT will continue to become more and more vital to modern life. Our solution will help to enable this, especially for the poorest, most vulnerable, and those living away from cities.
O fracasso nem sempre é uma opção. Se sua solução não conseguir evoluir nos próximos dois anos, de que outras formas você pretende explorar sua ideia?
We are already exploring alternative applications of our technology, including surveillance (think cheap camera phones forming an ad-hoc video capture mesh), and some that we are already getting paid a little to work on, but if I tell you, I'd have to kill you as we are under non-disclosure.
Amplie suas seleções, explicando como você mantém seu projeto financeiramente
We will continue to grow our success in securing philanthropic funding (about US$900k in the last 12 months), and also develop the independent spin-off products and services that our technology enables to derive an independent commercial revenue stream, without compromising our commitment to enabling open communications.
Por favor, explique de que forma o estabelecimento de parcerias é importante para o sucesso de sua inovação
We have informal partnerships with technology peers such as Village Telco, and potential users of our technology, such as New Zealand Red Cross, handset manufacturers and governmental agencies in Australia.
Que tipo de equipe (contratados, voluntários, etc.) garantirá que você atinja as metas de crescimento identificadas na seção Impacto social?
Myself as founder and software developer.
Romana Challans as Co-founder and UI/UX developer.
Jennifer Hampton as Project Manager.
Jeremy Lakeman as software developer.
Corey Wallas as mapping guru and software developer.
11 undergraduate, exchange and post-graduate students studying at Flinders University.
O Changemakers é um espaço cooperativo e de apoio. Especifique os recursos comunitários de que você precisa para desenvolver e sustentar sua iniciativa. [Selecione todas as opções que se aplicarem]
Investimento, Recursos humanos/Talento, Marketing/Mídia, Pesquisa/Informações, Colaboração/Rede de contato, Ajuda gratuita (jurídica, financeira etc.), Orientação.
Especifique os recursos que você pode oferecer de suporte a outras iniciativas. [Selecione todas as opções que se aplicarem]
Pesquisa/Informações, Colaboração/Rede de contato, Inovação/Ideias.
Explique as necessidades ou ofertas mencionadas acima e/ou sugira categorias de suporte não especificadas na lista
We are actively making our technology available to any initiatives that can make use of it as they carry out their core business. This will accelerate as we mature out software and increase its utility.
Resumo
Defina sua empresa, programa, serviço ou produto em uma ou duas frases curtas
Communications any where, any time, without infrastructure, enterprise or government. Because communications is a human right.
Identifique o que sua solução tem de inovadora em uma ou duas frases curtas
Com o projeto Serval, os celulares trabalham sem infraestrutura, na ocorrência de disastres ou sem apoio do governo – fazendo apenas uso do número do seu celular.
 | 26 weeks agoPaul Gardner-Stephen said: I am not entirely sure that I follow what you are saying, but what I think you might be saying is that if we simply connect developing ... about this Competition Entry. - leia mais > |
| 26 weeks agoOswald Brown said: Generation replacement processes they bring and development within participants and their communities.' The ways in which audiences can ... about this Competition Entry. - leia mais > |
| 26 weeks agoPaul Gardner-Stephen said: Hi, So we have prototype software running on existing Android handsets (Symbian and others to follow). While hardware integration will ... about this Competition Entry. - leia mais > |
| 27 weeks agoJames Pinto said: Hi, what stage of develoupment are you at? Very cool, mesh network for cell based technology. Will it requried a hardware intergration ... about this Competition Entry. - leia mais > |
| 33 weeks agoPaul Gardner-Stephen said: The whole concept is based around using phones as infrastructure, so there is no initial or operating cost to deploy a network. The ... about this Competition Entry. - leia mais > |
| 33 weeks agoRavi Saxena said: Paul, This is really inspiring technology! Could you talk about how you envision a network to roll out once the technology is ... about this Competition Entry. - leia mais > |
| 37 weeks agoPaul Gardner-Stephen said: Hello Carolyn, We are aware that our website can do with some enhancement, and are actively working to make that happen. Usual ... about this Competition Entry. - leia mais > |
| 37 weeks agoCarolyn Wendell said: This is a fantastic idea! I really think this innovative technology would bring about great change. I understand the technology is still ... about this Competition Entry. - leia mais > |