From a distance, it appears like a medium-sized power bank. On a closer look, it looks akin to a small-form-factor workstation computer along the lines of the Mac Studio. This is the KEO, short for Knowledge-driven, Economical and Open-Source computer–a low-cost computer launched on the first day of the Bengaluru Tech Summit, Tuesday.
What are its features? What is the price?
Arguably the cheapest plug-and-play device, when available in the market, the KEO houses a 64-bit quad core processor and 8 GB of RAM. While the device has a capability to handle one TB of external storage, it has 32 GB of internal memory.
Apart from wi-fi access, it has a SIM card slot. The provision for mobile data access has been made to ensure internet connectivity in areas where there is no wi-fi network. Among the features making it cost-effective is its reliance on open source software. It is run on the Linux-based Ubuntu operating system and has the Mozilla Firefox browser and free LibreOffice software applications installed. USB A and USB C ports, a HDMI port, and an audio jack are also provided.
It was developed over the past year by Karnataka’s Department of Electronics, Information Technology & Biotechnology in collaboration with the state-run Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS). The launch price of the device is Rs 18,999, said Karnataka IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge.
While the device has a capability to handle one TB of external storage, it has 32 GB of internal memory. (Express photo)
“The device will be available in 60 days of pre-order,” he said, adding that business personalities Kris Gopalkrishnan and Kiran Mazumdar Shaw had promised 1,000 KEOs to be distributed in schools of the state under a corporate social responsibility initiative.
The prices are relatively higher due to the supply chain crisis of rare earth minerals essential for the manufacture of components like RAM, Kharge said, adding that they will be reduced once the crisis is resolved.
KEO is a standalone computing unit and accessories like monitor, keyboard, and mouse have to be bought separately.
How was it developed?
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The development of this assembled device took around a year. The RISC-V processor by ExaLeap, “was designed and developed in Bengaluru, and was fabricated in Taiwan”, said KEONICS Chairperson Sharath Bache Gowda. KEONICS was looking at various options for assembling KEOs, he said, adding that they could be assembled in Mysuru or a couple of other locations within India.
There are also plans to further improve what the government calls an “inclusion device” to address the digital divide. A Japanese delegation has shown interest to collaborate in the development of the device. A memorandum of understanding is likely by the end of the Summit (on May 20), Kharge said.
How does it work?
Sample devices exhibited by KEONICS showed a device running an algorithm that detected the distance from and the height of the person standing in front of a camera connected to it. Another KEO ran the Ubuntu operating system at speeds on par with entry-level computers.
While the developers boast of an AI bot that would respond to queries from the state curriculum for Class 8 to 10, preliminary indications were that the bot, named BUDDH and based on the Sikshanpedia database of state textbooks, is still a work in progress.