Amrita University's AMMACHI Labs (Amrita Multi Modal Applications and Computer Human Interaction) is a center of technological innovation breaking new ground in the field of computer-human interaction. We focus on developing applications and technology to improve the quality of life in the underserved sectors of society. Our focus areas are education for livelihood, healthcare and disaster preparedness.

Problem

Even as India's economy booms and the demand for skilled workers rises, vocational training in India is effectively paralyzed by social stigma, budget constraints and inadequate numbers of trainers and materials. With an exponentially growing population and an alarming trend of increasing poverty, India is facing steep challenges in training skilled workers. There is an unrelenting requirement to empower economically marginalized communities with vocational education in order to improve their proficiency and employability. India is the world's largest democracy, yet only 31% of women With an exponentially growing population and an alarming trend of increasing poverty, India is facing steep challenges in training skilled workers. There is an unrelenting requirement to empower economically marginalized communities with vocational education in order to improve their proficiency and employability. India is the world's largest democracy, yet only 31% of women are active in the labour sector, with over 95% of these women engaged in unstable and underpaid jobs—keeping them trapped in the cycle of poverty, detrimental to true democratic functioning. 70% of India's population resides in rural and tribal areas where lifestyles are intertwined with the land and the seasons. Industrial development is changing the landscape faster than the communities can adapt, adversely impacting lives on multiple dimensions. For these remote communities to survive and thrive, education is crucial.

Solution

AMMACHI Labs has developed educational applications using multimedia, virtual reality and haptic technologies, which enrich the individual's learning experience by simulating real-life situations and providing portable, cost effective, scalable, and standardized vocational education and training courses. We seek to empower 3,000 women with the ability to participate in the democratic process and to strengthen their capacity to make decisions at the individual, family, and community levels. This objective will be achieved by fostering economic empowerment through computerized vocational education and training (CVET) and through social and democratic empowerment with Life Enrichment Education (LEE). By focusing on women, we hope to create a large ripple effect that will help to improve the welfare of the community at large. AMMACHI Labs designed and developed Mobile Vocational Education (MoVE) which utilizes fully equipped vehicles powered by solar energy to provide vocational education for sustainable development in geographically diverse areas which have traditionally been logistically impossible to reach. The approach that AMMACHI Labs is taking to provide training is unique. Our mobility allows us to reach people from all walks of life, and our work offers concrete proof that with proper application of modern technology, no one needs to be left behind.

Example

With a visually appealing and creative approach to training, we strive to make education stimulating. Our applications are comprised of four components contained within virtual chapters: classrooms, interactive workbooks, virtual workshops that simulate practical hands on learning, and an evaluation module where the user can self-evaluate their own progress. The classroom component consists of audio-visual lessons, which are supplemented by a workbook component in which the student completes interactive exercises. The exercises are accompanied by animated illustrations and audio prompts to facilitate the learning experience. The workshop component provides a unique hands-on experience, using haptic devices to provide tactile feedback to the student. Evaluation is done to test the student’s knowledge at the end of each chapter within the course. The application has been designed to be customized to local practices, language and methods. Whether in tribal, rural or urban areas our mobility and independence from the availability of trainers makes it accessible to all of the underprivileged populations such as women, the impoverished and those living in the remote geographical locations. The unique application of haptic technology to vocational education will minimize the need for materials and tools. This will drastically reduce the cost of providing top quality training. Individuals will gain the experience of working on expensive equipment without risking damage, wear and tear. Additionally, our accessibility further minimizes required infrastructure.