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RBI developing app for the visually impaired to identify new notes: Things to know

The Times of India
March 26, 2019

01/11​RBI's mobile application

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is in the process of developing a mobile application to help the visually impaired identify the denomination of currency notes.

02/11​A committee of experts

The central bank constituted a four-member expert committee last month to develop the software.

03/11NAB 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.

04/11​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.

05/11​How much the app will cost

The new application, to be available on most mobile devices free of charge, will be of much help for the visually impaired.

06/11Intaglio 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)

07/11Examine 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.

08/11Tactile 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.

09/11For 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.

10/11A 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'.

11/11Other 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.

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