Whereas our linked world does appear to return with some destructive results, it’s simple that trendy expertise could be very helpful for serving to folks talk. However whereas that expertise is second nature to digital natives, it may be laborious for a lot of older folks to know. Anybody with aged mother and father or grandparents can empathize with the frustration of attempting to interact in a easy video name. To assist the grandmas of the world keep in contact with their households, Stefan Baur designed the Grannophone.
The Grannophone is a video calling machine, however streamlined to be as straightforward to function as potential. From grandma’s perspective, it is rather like answering a name on an old style landline telephone. When little Johnny desires to talk with nana, he can dial her up on his Grannophone. Her Grannophone will then begin ringing and the video name will robotically begin when she picks up her handset. She will be able to then talk by way of the acquainted handset whereas wanting on the display screen to see a dwell video of Johnny on the opposite finish.
Providers like FaceTime can do the identical factor, however they (and smartphones usually) are complicated to many older folks. The Grannophone is reassuring and approachable.
Within the easiest configuration, two Grannophones are tied collectively and choosing up the handset on one will robotically dial the opposite. However extra superior configurations are additionally potential, which might let a Grannophone consumer name another Grannophone of their listing, just like velocity dialing. The previous configuration retains issues very simple, whereas the latter permits for communication with a number of relations.
Grannophone remains to be in improvement and so there is not but a finalized design, however the present iteration makes use of a Raspberry Pi single-board laptop and a big LCD display screen. A DAC (digital-to-analog converter), amplifier, and speaker present the ringing sound or speaker telephone functionality, whereas regular audio output and microphone enter undergo the handset. The present enclosure is a straightforward field manufactured from laser-cut plywood.
Baur additionally put some thought into safety to make sure that granny would not get scammed. Resting the handset on the Grannophone pushes a canopy down over the digicam lens, making certain privateness. And calls route by way of a VPN and solely connections to different trusted Grannophones are potential, so no Nigerian princes can provide grams a hoop.
Should you like this idea, Baur wants assist to complete improvement of the Grannophone. Particularly, these fluent in each English and German can help Baur in translating the German documentation into English.
