RBI's mobile application
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed to come out with a mobile application to aid visually impaired persons in identifying Indian currency notes.
A committee of experts
The central bank constituted a four-member expert committee in the month of February to develop the software. Bids have been solicited from technology firms for developing the mobile application.
NAB petition
The National Association of the Blind (NAB) had filed a petition stating that the new currency notes and coins were difficult to distinguish by touch. The petition also seeked directions to include distinctive features in new coins and currency notes.
Tactile markers and embossments
The new currency notes in India of the denomination of Rs 100 and above have "tactile markers and embossments" to help the visually challenged ascertain the denomination of such notes.
How much the app will cost and how will it work
The new application, to be available on most mobile devices free of charge, will be of much help for the visually impaired. The mobile application should be searchable via voice option in all app stores, said RBI. It further added that the app should be able to identify the bank note denomination in 2 seconds or less by capturing the image of the notes placed in front of mobile camera or scrolling across it.
Intaglio or raised printing
As per the RBI website, users can check the intaglio or raised printing of Mahatma Gandhi portrait, Ashoka pillar emblem, bleed lines and identification mark if they place the cursor on points 11 and 12 on the notes of denomination above Rs 100. (See image above for better representation)
Examine currencies of Western nations, RBI told
A high court bench has told the Reserve Bank to examine the currencies of Western nations to check the features that are included to help the visually challenged.
Tactile marks on euro currency
Euro banknotes and coins also carry features that visually impaired people can handle with confidence. There are tactile marks near the edges of the €200 and €500 banknotes.
For US dollars
The 'iBill Talking Bank Note Identifier' is available free of charge from the Tressury Department to any US citizen, who is visually impaired. It is a currency reader that identifies and announces the denomination of a bill inserted into a sensor on the device.
A mobile solution
Along with the free 'iBill Currency Identifier', the US Treasury Department also has a pair of mobile apps that use Android or iOS devices' camera to identify the US currency. The Android version is called the 'IDEAL Currency Identifier', while the iOS version is called 'EyeNote'.
Other solutions
In addition, the 'LookTel Money Reader' is a paid app available on the Mac App store which identifies currencies of 21 different countries. There are several other apps also that help distinguish the dollar bills.