ClassMate Project: South – North Innovation

The Intel-powered classmate PC is Intel’s low cost personal computer developed for children in developing countries. The model launched in 2006 and a new convertible design (an addition to the Intel-powered classmate PC family, joining the successful clamshell design), has been designed to promote inventiveness, interactiveness and conviviality at schools through the results of more than two year period ethnographic studies. Initially designed in Mexico and Egypt and implemented in Nigeria (first pilot), the computer is quickly expanding to Europe and US. The price and functionalities of this computer (light, hard, water-resistant keyboard, with touchscreen, virtual keyboard, electronic blackboard, 180˚ screen rotation, built-in microphone, speakers and wireless) have indeed attracted consumers in OECD countries. In Portugal, the government has put in place a programme “Magalhães Initiative” to provide PCs to all elementary school children via the local computer manufacturer and telecom service providers. Same locally build schemes have been developed through Axioo and Zyrex (Indonesia), HCL Infosystems Mileap-X (India), CMS Computers (UK), and MPC, M&A technology and Computer Technology Link (US). Intel-powered classmate PC allows open source and proprietary software and OS.

Source: Isabelle Flory, Institutional Relations, INTEL.