Gandhinagar, March 10 (IANS) Technology multinational IBM has tied up with the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, and the Research Centre for Advanced Research and Technology of the Tokyo University to launch a new initiative to make mobile phones more user-friendly for the elderly, the illiterate and the semi-literate.

The mobile phone is today the most revolutionary communication medium that influences life and living. But except for basic voice communication, a large number of people are unable to benefit from the other services that this small, hand-held tool offers.

'The study will help identify the requirements of a vast majority of the population falling in these categories and then put enhanced services and facilities in their hands', said Manish Gupta, director, IBM research, India.

The initiative is part of the company's Open Collaborative Research programme that involves institutes of learning and the industry.

J. Khakhar, a faculty member at NID who is heading the project, said the initiative would impact the lives of the underprivileged.