In a significant stride towards digital education and sustainability, EPIC Foundation, a non-profit organization, has unveiled the MILKYWAY Tab, India’s first designed and powered-by-AI tablet. Developed in collaboration with VVDN Technologies, MediaTek India, and CoRover.ai, the tablet is set to address concerns related to the digital divide and the growing issue of electronic waste.
The Education Tablet, designed by VVDN Technologies, boasts a range of features aimed at enhancing the learning experience while prioritizing sustainability. EPIC Foundation envisions manufacturing up to three lakh tablets for distribution to state governments, having already secured an MoU for 12,000 units with entities like IRIS Global and Vedavaag Systems Ltd.
The MILKYWAY Tab features an 8-inch 1280×800 IPS display, powered by a MediaTek MT8766A processor, 3/4GB RAM, and 32/64GB storage. With 5MP front and 8MP rear cameras, a 5,100mAh battery, and Android 13 as its operating system, the tablet provides a robust platform for educational purposes. It supports 4G LTE connectivity, ensuring seamless access to online resources, and incorporates a sleek design with 5-finger touch support for a user-friendly experience.
One of the distinguishing features of the tablet is its commitment to sustainability and repairability. Dr. Ajai Chowdhry, Chairman of EPIC Foundation, emphasized the importance of creating products with easily replaceable and upgradeable components. Addressing concerns about repair expenses, substandard goods, and obsolescence strategies, Chowdhry stated, “Our repairable product will enable many jobs all over India for repair engineers.”
The MILKYWAY Tab integrates the BharatGPT virtual assistant, an India-made conversational AI platform designed to facilitate digital learning and language translation between Indian languages. This inclusionary approach aims to increase schools’ access to affordable devices with longer lifespans, fostering demand for homegrown electronics.
Ankush Sabharwal, Co-Founder of CoRover.ai and BharatGPT, highlighted the tablet’s transformative impact on education, stating, “With features like repairability, upgradability, and integration of India-made BharatGPT powered Conversational AI platform and various AI apps, this tablet is not just a device; it’s a catalyst for a transformative educational experience.”
Anku Jain, Managing Director of MediaTek India, emphasized the technological prowess of the tablet, powered by MediaTek chipsets designed for powerful performance, captivating display, and energy efficiency. Jain stated, “EPIC Foundation’s first Indian designed, repairable, upgradable, and first AI-tablet powered by MediaTek is equipped with the latest advancements in multicore processing, CorePilot technology, MediaTek MiraVision, and multimedia powerhouse to develop power-efficient media tablets with a PC-like browser.”
The tablet’s comprehensive features include options for video and chatbots, a speech translation app by CoRover.ai, and a strategic focus on repairability for sustainability. EPIC Foundation aims to contribute to the reduction of electronic waste by ensuring that repair expenses do not surpass the cost of purchasing a new device, promoting the production of high-quality goods.
In conclusion, the launch of the MILKYWAY Tab signifies a significant step forward in India’s digital education landscape, combining technological innovation with a commitment to sustainability. As the tablet awaits commercial manufacturing, its potential to bridge the digital divide and promote inclusive education is poised to make a lasting impact on India’s educational landscape.
