When there's a disaster that knocks out lines of communication and power, or in a country that isn't so technologically advanced, UNICEF busts out its prototype "Bee." The Bee was designed to be mobile and versatile. It can be set up in a few hours and provides FM radio, Wi-Fi and mobile messaging services, all powered by solar panels (or, if there's not enough sun, car batteries or any other power source that's on hand).
The best thing about it all: The Bee, as it has to, uses off-the-shelf components so anyone could go out and buy what's needed and cobble it together. That means its various parts are easy to replace in a pinch, as well. While you may not be able to run to the nearest Best Buy in a 3rd world country, replacement parts wouldn't be hard to stock and bring along.
The Bee is first being tested in the state of New York. If all goes well, it'll be deployed in South Africa in September, and be used as a blueprint for advancing mobile, cheap communication stations that are robust enough to be deployed anywhere.
Click Continue to check out a video of the Bee system.
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By lol at 8:56 PM ON 08/29/08
This thing is neat and all, but what's the purpose? Are people in a disaster area REALLY worried about keeping up with all of their buddies on AIM? And for that matter, how many starving African kids have facebook profiles?
I mean, kudos to them for trying and all, this thing could of course see some use. In, you know, areas that aren't a disaster but rather need a stopgap while they get their communications networks up and going. But internet should be about the last thing on the list when going to help people in Africa. How about dedicating those resources to building sustainable industries or establishing police forces that don't rape the people they are supposed to protect first?
By GreenOfaKind at 3:24 AM ON 08/30/08
"LOL", although I agree with the protection of the distraught people from harm, any betterment of communication in an area devoid of it is good news. You can then communicate among relief efforts as to necessity for a particular area. Apparently a major problem in the Thailand tsunami was getting the most appropriate aid to the needy. One area had too much vs others with nothing - communication would have been invaluable.
By ITrush at 9:36 AM ON 08/30/08
This is very useful, the idea is really great.
By Donald at 3:14 PM ON 08/30/08
I have worked with military and civilian satellite equipment. This is the first time I have seen something come out that is exactly what people in national disaster around the work can use. Hats off to Unicef.
By Lol at 3:14 PM ON 08/30/08
Yeah, I know communications is important, I would just think that something along the lines of sat phones or radios would do it. I guess the author was more focused on the tech goodies, but thing like fm radio and internet access don't really seem appropriate in a rescue platform; like I said, it seems like a communication/entertainment console. Why build such a big porker when you could pack all the comm gear someone would need into a suitcase and just airdrop the thing on remote areas? Hell, if you need antennas and the weather is too unreliable for sat phones, the range too much for hand held radio, then you can still do it cheaper with radio and radio bouncing balloons. I guess what I'm saying is it's not a bad idea, it just seems like whoever made it was focused more on making it "cool" than the most efficient solution for emergency communications.
By GreenOfaKind at 4:06 PM ON 08/30/08
"LOL", portability is very important, but like the article and tech mentioned, this thing is a "McGyver meets trash-can" of communication. You can yank parts from a rusty old Russian tank if you need - versus the small air-dropped proprietary iPhone GPS unit with a battery life-span of 35 minutes that need to be sent in to the company to get replaced (yes, sarcastic comment).