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Low-cost computing may soon be available to everyone, including people from previously and traditionally disadvantaged areas. This is the aim of the Thinner Client project currently being developed by CSIR Materials Science and Manufacturing in collaboration with FabLab and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Technology for the community
Collaboration
Technology for the community
The Fablab is a ’technology for the community’ concept that was started by MIT. More details can be found on www.fablab.co.za.
Thinner Client, part of a series of projects in FabLab that is being developed for and by the community, will enable almost every household to have access to very low-cost computing though the use of existing infrastructure, such as television sets, to display information.
The concept was borne out of research done at MIT. The project is funded by the Department of Science and Technology through its Advanced Manufacturing Technology Strategy, which is hosted by the CSIR.
Through the roll-out of FabLabs (fabrication laboratories) countrywide, the goals of providing science, engineering and technology platforms for social development, while benefiting private sector competitiveness and growth, are being realised.
FabLabs bring advanced manufacturing technology platforms to ordinary people as an accessible platform to empower themselves by personally participating in an environment that enables the freedom to experiment and peer-to-peer learning. The platforms also provide the means to solve local problems innovatively and stimulate creativity that should lead to techno-preneurship options.
FabLabs that are already operational in the country are situated at the Innovation Hub in Pretoria, Soshanguve near Pretoria, Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Potchefstroom. The aim is to eventually have 10 FabLabs in South Africa, spread across provinces.
Thinner Client seeks to make internet infrastructure available at the FabLab accessible to the community around it.
Instead of trying to rework the architecture of a PC, the Thinner Client architecture consists of simple terminal nodes that communicate to a more powerful central server, situated at the FabLab. The design of these terminal nodes is simple enough to be manufactured in the FabLab by the users themselves. Short-range communication is achieved by simply stringing up wiring between houses, while longer range communication is achieved using wireless communications.
People wishing to own a Thinner Client can do so by constructing it in the FabLab themselves. This entails a number of printed circuit boards that are milled, populated with electronics, and soldered by the user. Small embedded microprocessors are used to interface to standard keyboards and televisions. The devices are also programmed in the FabLab.
For low-level communications between the modules and the wireless hub, a protocol called Internet0 is used. This is a new concept that has been introduced by MIT and the aim is to bring simple and low-cost internet protocol communications to small devices.
Once the user has constructed a Thinner Client, the unit can be interfaced to the network. Access to applications, such as messaging, emailing and internet browsing are available from the user’s own home.
Collaboration
FabLab
Massachusetts University of Technology
Primary contact
Peter Bosscha
CSIR Materials Science and Manufacturing
Tel: +27 12 841 2404
pbosscha@csir.co.za
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