One Laptop Per Child
Perhaps one of the first great examples of the intersection of innovative design, gorgeous aesthetics, functionality, and social conscience, Fuseproject’s XO laptop designed for the One Laptop Per Child program will deliver usable technology children of technologically underprivileged demographics. The fully-loaded and very cute machine will be delivered in mass quantities to developing countries for about $130 each, giving thousands of children access to the web and each other, along with dozens of educational applications. Last July, Nigeria placed the first order of one million units, and last month, the design was given Popular Science magazine’s “Best of What’s New” Award.
photos courtesy of FuseProject
The One Laptop Per Child design and program has come a long way over its years of dvelopment, beginning as a non-profit organization spearheaded by Nicholas Negroponte of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Since then, it has received sponsorship and support from lots of interested parties including the United Nations Development Programme and technical support from Google, Skype, and Linux RedHat.
After multiple rounds of prototyping, the designers at FuseProject have produced a compact, highly-functional, and engaging final product. The device boasts a slew of streamlined features, from its Wi-Fi antenna “rabbit ears” and energy-efficient LCD to the digital writing tablet and integrated video camera. Networking capabilities allow children to connect to each other, their school, their teacher, and the Web. And if that weren’t enough, the machine runs off of power from a variety of sources- from rechargeable batteries to hand cranks, and eventually solar energy. When closed, the laptop features an integrated handle and is completely protected from dust and dirt, allowing each student to transport their laptop to and from school. Aesthetically, the machine is simple yet kid-friendly, engaging, tactile, and even anthropomorphic.
photos courtesy of FuseProject
Despite the forward-thinking design, the laptop and OLPC program has received some criticism surrounding a variety of issues. Questions raised include skepticism as to how the machines will actually be used in classrooms, doubts about the efficacy of the software and technical configurations, worries that the program will vastly increase the amount of material waste in the developing world, and if the laptop itself could be “greener.” Others wonder if a laptop is the appropriate device to bridge the digital divide, and worry it may follow in the footsteps of the somewhat disappointing Simputer.
At the end of the day, and amidst the constant debates, we think the One Laptop Per Child program is a wonderful thing, and a brave step in the right direction. At the risk of sounding overly-idealistic, the continued, if controversial, discussion should be encouraging, proving that we’re committed to doing things better and finding efficient ways of delivering resources to those who need them. Congratulations to FuseProject on an ingenious design for a global problem. As for the actual implementation, only time will tell how effective and influential the program will prove to be. In the meantime, we’d love to hear your thoughts…
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