MANI (Mobile Aided Note Identifier) by RBI for Visually Impaired.
The Reserve Bank of India has launched a mobile app for aiding visually impaired persons to identify the denomination of Indian banknotes.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been sensitive to the challenges faced by the visually challenged in conducting their day to day business with Indian banknotes. MANI will aid the visually impaired to identify the denomination of Indian banknotes of Mahatma Gandhi Series and Mahatma Gandhi (New) series by capturing the image of the notes placed in front of rear mobile camera. The application will generate audio and non-sonic notification intimating the currency note denomination to the user.
MANI utilizes the underlying Talkback feature of Android phones to help visually impaired users to interact with their mobile phone.
“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,” the RBI said in a statement.
The app, named Mobile Aided Note Identifier(MANI) was launched by the RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das on Wednesday (January 1). “Technological progress has opened up new opportunities for making Indian banknotes more accessible for the visually impaired, thereby facilitating their day to day transactions,” the top bank added.
The app offers the following features, according to the RBI:
- The app is capable of identifying the denominations of Mahatma Gandhi Series and Mahatma Gandhi (New) series banknote by checking front or reverse side/part of the note including half folded notes at various holding angles and the broad range of light conditions (normal light/daylight/low light/ etc.).
- The app has the 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).
- After installation, the mobile app does not require internet and works in offline mode.
- 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.
- The app is free and can be downloaded from the Android Play Store and iOS App Store without any charges/payment.
- The mobile app does not authenticate a note as being either genuine or counterfeit.
- After demonetisation in November 2016, the RBI introduced many currency notes, under the Mahatma Gandhi New Series. However, visually-challenged people reportedly faced issues in identifying these new currency notes.
The RBI has been leveraging technology for various initiatives. Recently, the top bank also introduced a new Prepaid Payment Instrument (PPI) for retail payments. This was aimed at enhancing the user experience and driving small-ticket retail digital payments in the country.
The new PPI can be used only for making retail payments like the purchases of daily household goods and services, and not fund transfer.
RBI had said that PPI can be issued by banks and existing non-banking PPI players, where the companies can verify customers credentials to open their PPI accounts using a one time password (OTP) sent to user’s registered mobile number along with official valid document listed in the ‘Master Direction – Know Your Customer (KYC) Direction.’
Disclaimer –
MANI is made available by the RBI at no cost for the guidance of the visually challenged persons in identifying the denomination of Indian Banknotes. The RBI nor any of its authorities nor agencies nor officers nor employees nor advisors give any warranty or make any representation, express or implied, as to the completeness or accuracy of the results given by the application, which may vary on account of difference in conditions, including but not limited to, light, soilage condition of the banknotes and interference from nearby objects. Users may exercise discretion and supplement the results of the app by checking the denomination through other ways of note identification. The RBI does not take any responsibility, and no claim shall lie against the RBI, for the results of the application and for any decisions taken by the users based on the said results. By downloading, accessing or using this application, you signify your assent to this disclaimer. This mobile application does not check or authenticate the genuineness of Indian Banknotes.
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