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VillageTech Solutions 〔VillageTech Solutions website ()〕 〔 There's a Better Way, Barbara Wood, The Almanac 2014-05-28 ()〕 〔Marion Softky, The Almanac online, 2007-02-28 (Menlo Park couple brings low-tech solutions for wire bridges and pedal-powered electricity to villagers in Nepal )〕 began with EcoSystems (Nepal) in 1996, to improve living standards for rural people by creating affordable energy and transport products. VTS creates inexpensive technology by focusing creative talent on problems ignored by commercial investors because the solutions are intentionally easily copied, and the markets are distorted by conflicting cultures, governments, subsidies and real conflict. The VTS mission is to apply simple, locally appropriate technology to problems in education, transportation, health and economic development. VTS is the American non-profit offshoot of EcoSystems Pvt Ltd in Nepal, founded by David and Haydi Sowerwine in 1996 to provide ‘energy and transport solutions’ in Nepal where they lived for 14 years. In that time EcoSystems built 38 “WireBridges” across Himalayan rivers to connect villagers with medical care, schools and trade. Since 1998 the bridges have moved an estimated 3.5 million passengers without harm. In 2009 the Sowerwines launched a successor wirebridge builder in Kathmandu, the locally owned and operated: VillageSolutions Pvt. Ltd. VTS won the esteemed Tech Museum Award in 2003. 〔The Tech Museum Awards, The Tech Museum of Innovation (2003 Economic Development Award Laureate ) 〕 ==Rural Education== VillageTech Solutions is developing Looma for use in rural schools in Nepal and elsewhere. Looma is an affordable, battery-powered audiovisual device that brings the Internet and enhanced learning media tools to village schools that have never seen electricity, computers, or in some cases, even books. Looma is a small box that contains a computer, 300 lumen projector, interactive whiteboard, and audio system, all in one. Looma projects an image onto a facing wall, and a simple user interface allows teachers who are unaccustomed to computers to navigate through screens intuitively using a handheld wand. It comes pre-loaded with government textbooks for the country of use and a rich set of multimedia enhancements. Looma’s web browser allows the class to explore the Internet. 〔 Looma Vimeo video ()〕 The Looma prototype is being field tested in Nepal. Enhancements such as webcam, microphone, and dual-wand control are just a few features planned for future versions. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Villagetech solutions」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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