If you've experienced the frustration of unreliable internet and power connection, you know what it's like to come this close to smashing your computer screen. But that's the reality we live in in most of developing Africa. This is what prompted Juliana Rotich and the incredible minds down at Ushahidi to design a new product they aptly named BRCK.
At first sight, the smooth yet robust rectangular-shaped exterior shell of the device looks like the over-sized late 90's hard drives. However, its way more advanced than that; BRCK is a backup generator for the internet. A first of its kind, BRCK was designed and prototyped in Nairobi. The idea behind it is a redesigned modem for the developing world where regular power blackouts mean lost internet connection.
Mechanically, BRCK is a wireless, battery-powered modem that aims to help users connect to the web no matter where they are in the world. It has 8 GPIO pins to connect sensors, a battery that lasts 8 hours and a hard drive with a 16 GB capacity. In terms of software, it allows for apps, remote management, and data collection. Each BRCK is connected to the BRCK Cloud and managed via a cloud-based interface.
BRCK's usefulness cannot be understated and this is evident by the 1,078 backers on its successful Kickstarter campaign who pledged $172,107, comfortably passing the $125,000 goal. The startup also just last week announced that it has raised an additional $1.2 million in seed money from various investors. Ushahidi recently made the product available for purchase via their website for $199 (a little over Ksh 17,000).
Here's how it works: Once there's a blackout, the self-powered, mobile WiFi device takes over and seamlessly connects to nearest and fastest GSM network. It's technology leverages the outstanding 3G infrastructure available in most towns in Africa. But wait, there's more. BRCK is smart as well; it can connect to the web via ethernet, Wi-Fi, 3G or 4G. It will independently determine the most stable and fastest service available at a given time and shift to it.
BRCK was designed for rural Africa but is very much relevant to the urban side too- if for nothing else, its reliability and massively reduced cost of being connected. See Juliana Rotich give a TED Talk on the BRCK below:
Here's how it works: Once there's a blackout, the self-powered, mobile WiFi device takes over and seamlessly connects to nearest and fastest GSM network. It's technology leverages the outstanding 3G infrastructure available in most towns in Africa. But wait, there's more. BRCK is smart as well; it can connect to the web via ethernet, Wi-Fi, 3G or 4G. It will independently determine the most stable and fastest service available at a given time and shift to it.
BRCK was designed for rural Africa but is very much relevant to the urban side too- if for nothing else, its reliability and massively reduced cost of being connected. See Juliana Rotich give a TED Talk on the BRCK below:
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