CDAC's 'Saarathy' GPS tool offers 'one click' emergency alert
Pune: The Pune-based Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) has harnessed its known strength in Indian language computing technology to Global Positon System - based navigation using mobile phones. One of four technologies unveiled at its recent Foundation Day, the 'Saarathy' location based service solution, can be deployed on GPS-enabled cell phones and comes in ( currently) three language versions: English, Hindi and Malayalam. Other Indian languages are being added, researches in Pune told IndiaTechOnline.
While the navigation features of Saarathy ( Sanskrit for guide, and a reference to Lord Krishna's saarathy and charioteer, Arjuna) -- as a route finder or a location-sensitive tagging tool for photos is fairly standard, its language edge will enable mobile service providers to add value to their Indian customers who might be challenged by having to use English-language services. Also interesting is a one touch emergency feature, which sends out an SMS alert with the sender's coordinates: something that parents will like to see in the hands of their children. It will also be useful for those faced by a medical or other emergency.
C-DAC is talking to Indian telecom service providers who might deploy the technology as part of their value added services.
For more details: http://www.cdac.in/html/22-foundation-day/gsdg_release.asp
( June 1 2009)