IBM is partnering National Institute of Design (NID) and the University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology in a project to make mobile devices more accessible for elderly, illiterate or semi-illiterate people particularly in developing countries.

"This collaborative research programme will result in critical insights to the accessibility requirements of the elderly people with little or no education in developing nations," said IBM India/South Asia Director (IBM Research – India) and Chief Technologist Manish Gupta.

IBM will help in identifying the communication needs and preferences of the targeted segment. It will particularly focus on Japan where the ageing rate is growing at a rapid pace.