Technology multinational IBM has joined hands with the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, and the Research Centre for Advanced Research and Technology of the Tokyo University to unveil a new plan to make cellular phones more approachable for older people, the uneducated and the semi-literate.

Today, the cell phone is the most innovatory communication medium, which influences life as well as living.

But excluding basic voice communication, a large number of people are not capable of benefitting from the other services that this pocket-size, handheld device offers.

Mr. Manish Gupta, director, IBM research, India stated, "The study will help identify the requirements of a vast majority of the population falling in these categories and then put enhanced services and facilities in their hands."

The proposal is part of the IBM's Open Collaborative Research programme, which involves institutes of learning and the industry.

J. Khakhar, a faculty member at NID who is guiding the project, said that the idea would impact the lives of the deprived. (With Input from Agencies)