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BMTC's cool internet service on wheels
By siliconindia
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Friday, 22 October 2010, 22:59 IST
Bangalore: Travelling in the Vaya Vajra will be a lot more interesting with Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) launching an in-bus entertainment system that will offer web browsing, chatting, music, movies, and other services to passengers.
Information, Communication and Entertainment (ICE) are the services that the 7-inch tocuh screen will provide to the passengers. The system will be fixed in front of their seats and the system known as "ICE on Wheels" will provide bus service as well.
Transport and Home Minister R Ashoka inaugurated the pilot project on Thrusday, said "In my knowledge, this is the first such system anywhere in the world." Other applications such as live stock updates, news reports, flight check-in and horoscopes will also be added to the application.
EAFT Technologies have developed the application and the service is offered free of cost for passengers. "The service will be offered free of cost to passengers. We will not be spending any money on installation of these systems on BMTC buses," said Ashoka. EAFT Technologies, who have designed the systems, will generate revenue by displaying advertisements on the touch screen. "Not only will BMTC be spending money, but they will also earn a cut of the revenue earned through advertisements," Ashoka added.
This tablet-like PC, developed by Bangalore-based tech firm EAFT Technologies for this pilot project, will allow you to browse the Internet while on the move by connecting to a Wi-Fi network through central servers remotely controlled by the firm. It also offers a wide range of software applications to engage commuters on their long commute. These include popular applications such as daily horoscope, live stock exchange news and weather information.
Integrating such ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) and PIS (Passenger Information System) will increase passenger comfort and get more people to switch to public transport. Jai Shiv, Director, EAFT Technologies, said "People who travel to the airport spend close to an hour in the bus. Why not provide them with entertainment and access to information while they are commuting?" The firm has developed more than 70 applications that are bundled with these devices.