1189) Launch of Mobile Aided Note Identifier (MANI) by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI): Date of launch: 01.01.2020:
On 01.01.2020, the Reserve Bank of India, vide its Press Release No. 2019-2020/1570 dated 01.01.2020, advised as under:
" RBI Governor today launched the "Mobile Aided Note Identifier (MANI), a mobile phone application for aiding visually impaired persons to identify the denomination of Indian Banknotes.
Indian banknotes contain several features which enable the visually impaired (colour blind, partially sighted and blind people) to identify them, viz, intaglio printing and tactile mark, variable banknote size, large numerals, variable colour, monochromatic hues and patterns. Technological progress has opened up new opportunities for making Indian banknotes more accessible for the visually impaired, thereby facilitating their day to day transactions. As announced in the Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies of June 6, 2018, the Bank has developed a mobile application - MANI - with the following features:
a) Capable of identifying the denominations of Mahatma Gandhi Series and Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series banknotes by checking the front or Back part of the note including half folded notes at various holding angles and broad range of light conditions (normal light/day light/ low light/ etc.)
b) ability to identify the denomination through audio notification in Hindi/English and non-sonic mode such as vibration (suitable for those with vision and hearing impairment).
c) After installation, the mobile application does not require internet and works in an offline mode.
d) Ability to navigate the mobile application via voice controls for accessing the application features wherever the underlying device and operating system combination supports voice enabled controls.
e) The application is free and can be down-loaded from the Android Play Store and iOS App Store without any charges/payment.
f) This mobile application does not authenticate a note as being genuine or counterfeit.
sd/-
Chief General Manager"
2. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been sensitive to the challenges faced by the visually challenged users in conducting their transactions with Indian currency/Banknotes.
To recapitulate, RBI had introduced Banknotes under the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series with change in size and design in 11/2016. Under this new series , banknotes in the denominations of Rs.10, 20, 50, 100,200, 500 and 2,000 were circulated.
This application will aid the visually impaired users to identify the denominations of Indian banknotes of both the Mahatma Gandhi Series and Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series by capturing the image of the note placed before the rear mobile camera and will generate audio and non-sonic notification thus assisting the user to identify the denomination of the Banknote.
The instructions/App. come in Hindi & English and facilitates two categories of users - "Visually impaired" and "Visually and Hearing Impaired. It also comes with "Voice command". In the hearing impaired feature, the app will send a series of vibrations to let the user identify the Banknote denomination - Rs.5 - one vibration, Rs.10 - two vibrations, Rs. 20 - three vibrations, Rs.50 - four vibrations, Rs.100 - five vibrations, Rs.200 - six vibrations, Rs.500 - seven vibrations and Rs.2000 - eight vibrations.
The App also comes with a Family Sharing set up, up to six family members can use this App.
The size of the iOS 9.0 App is 62.4 MB and requires iOS 9.0 or later for compatibility. It is compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch and is available in both Hindi & English.
The size of the iOS 8.0 App is 50.6 MB and is compatible to iPhone 5S, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 11Pro, iPhone Pro Max, iPad Air, iPad Air Wi-fi + Cellular, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 2 Wi-Fi +Cellular, iPad Air 2, etc.
The newspaper advertisement by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) carrying information for the MANI App:
In 2011, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), USA had developed "EyeNote", a free mobile device application aid for the blind and visually impaired users to identify denominations of the US Federal Reserve notes from Series 1996.
The newspaper advertisement by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) carrying information for the MANI App:
I am giving below a link to an interesting post by my friend Tom, a US based leading Coin & Currency expert who goes by the credentials of "Blind Coin Collector". Please go through the interesting dimensions and evaluation of this new feature by RBI:
Reserve Bank of India makes available a new Indian currency identification app.
Links to other posts on Indian Currency/Banknote denominations on this blog:
Some interesting links on Indian coins on this Blog:
Ashok Borate has commented:
ReplyDelete"Very important information."
Thank you, Ashokji.
DeleteSantosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"GOOD job.Thanks for sharing"
Thank you, Khanna sahab.
DeleteThis is a nice detailed overview. I am hopeful that many more countries will follow, and come up with a way for visually impaired people to recognize currency. I always stress that there isn't one particular way to make it work, what's important is that people can shop with confidence and remain productive. Also, thank you for your mention in your post.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Tom. It's a start by RBI. It will take some time to percolate down to the masses, but it is a start in the positive direction. In I ndia, many organisations will distribute free smartphones to the target groups inner their community service schemes. Also pressure groups will see that this App is available to everyone. I am now waiting for the new coins to be circulated, which have got inordinately delayed.
Delete