Founder and Managing Member, Diyunu Consulting
Bringing Technology to Under-Resourced Communities
Bernardine Dias (SCS 2000, 2004) has made it her life鈥檚 work to use expertise in robotics and artificial intelligence to develop technology that鈥檚 a perfect fit for each user.
鈥淚 work primarily with people with disabilities, people in the developing world and communities that historically really weren't benefiting from technology,鈥� Bernardine says. 鈥淢y goals are twofold. I want to diversify the community that technology serves and diversify the innovators because people often bring to the innovation table the experiences they have lived.鈥�
One example of her work in action is a Braille writing tutor project that started in conjunction with a small school for blind children in India. In developing nations, teaching Braille literacy requires a different approach and cultural competence than utilized in other parts of the world.
To conquer these challenges, Bernardine developed an automated tutor with audio feedback that helped students practice writing Braille by punching raised dots onto paper using the slate and stylus method.
鈥淭he most striking thing for me was that the school started out being afraid of technology,鈥� Bernardine says. 鈥淣ow, teachers who are blind themselves are interested in making changes and becoming innovators, too.鈥�
Bernardine鈥檚 body of professional contribution includes work for all kinds of audiences in field robotics including autonomous team coordination, navigation and planning. But under-resourced communities are her passion.
鈥淚t鈥檚 allowed me to see for myself how powerful technological transformation can be for communities that are often forgotten.鈥�
Story of Elizabeth Speed