The main objective is to increase schools’ access to affordable devices with longer lifespans while driving demand for homegrown electronics that empower society.
The device comes with a host of features and is promoted as a device that is repairable and upgradable to counter concerns related to the digital divide and mounting e-waste. The tablets come embedded with unique features of repairability and come with the upgradability to address the pressing concerns of the digital divide and the accumulation of electronic refuse in India. To subscribe please click tau.id/2iy6f and access our live channel.
Dr. Ajai Chowdhry, Chairman of EPIC Foundation said, “Aligned with our overarching goal of elevating Indian electronics to real Atmanirbharta, we want to build products in such a way that the components are easily replaceable and upgradable.”
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S Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, at the launch of the tablet, stated, “It is a matter of great pride that we are launching an India-designed, India-inspired education tablet which will be of great use to a vast majority of students. It will inspire the youth to take up the mantra of design and making things in India, for India and for the world.”
The new product will address two critical aspects of education and social empowerment: drive demand for ‘Indian, repairable, sustainable’ electronics products and brands in high-impact/high-volume categories; and remove financial and logistical obstacles that prevent schools from obtaining repairable, high-impact devices and increase life of the product.
The company aims to manufacture up to three lakh tablets targeted for supply to state governments. The devices are yet to be commercially manufactured, but the company has already signed an MoU for over 12,000 units with entities like IRIS Global and Vedavaag Systems Ltd.
The MILKYWAY Tab comes with an 8-inch 1280×800 IPS display, MediaTek MT8766A processor, 3/4GB RAM, 32/64GB storage, 5MP front and 8MP rear cameras, and a 5,100mAh battery. It is backed by Android 13, supports 4G LTE connectivity, and has a sleek design with 5-finger touch support.
Besides this, the key features include the integrated India-made BharatGPT virtual assistant to aid students, options for video and chatbots, a speech translation app by CoRover.ai, and a focus on repairability for sustainability.
