Serval Project - Communications Anywhere, Anytime
- Communications
- Citizen participation
- Community development
- Economic development
- Poverty alleviation
- Rural development
- Technology
Example: Walk us through a specific example(s) of how this solution makes a difference; include its primary activities.
Marketplace: Who else is addressing the problem outlined here? How does the proposed project differ from these approaches?
Paul
Gardner-Stephen
Serval Project
, SA
1‐5 years
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Start-Up (a pilot that has just begun operating)
Operating for 1‐5 years
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.
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.
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.
To mature our software from technology demonstrator to public ALPHA release
Get our software to production quality and complete outstanding features
Cajole Android/Google to add an ad-hoc API to Android so that our software doesn't need root access
Conduct trials to identify and rectify weak points
General public release of Serval mesh software
Lots of bug fixing.
Porting to iOS and Symbian
Keep working with partners and governments to promote our technology and drive up-take
Fewer than 100
More than 10,000
Hybrid model
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Investment, Human resources or talent, Marketing or media, Research or information, Collaboration or networking, Pro-bono help (legal, financial, etc.), Mentorship.
Research or information, Collaboration or networking, Innovation or ideas.
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.
Communications any where, any time, without infrastructure, enterprise or government. Because communications is a human right.
Comments
Paul,
Congratulations on being a finalist for the Citizen Media competition! We think that your Growth Tracker clearly shows that you have goals for scaling and growing. We're interested in learning about how you will reach and complete these milestones. How can Changemakers help you explain to potential investors or volunteers on what you need to get there? Would tying your goals to your offers and needs be useful?
All the best,
Alyssa Feldmann and Jessi Wolz
Paul this sounds amazing! Where can i go to learn more?