The Epic Foundation Recently unveiled the Milkyway tablet

The Epic Foundation has recently unveiled the Milkyway tablet, heralding a new era of ‘designed in India’ technology tailored for the educational needs of school children. Ajai Chowdhry, the Chairman of Epic Foundation, emphasized that the Milkyway tablet is the first product designed from the ground up in India to be fully repairable and upgradable, setting a benchmark for sustainability and innovation.

Redefining Sustainability and Affordability

The launch of the Milkyway tablet marks a pivotal moment in addressing the environmental impact of electronic waste and the cost barriers in educational technology. According to Mr. Chowdhry, the tablet’s repairability feature is a crucial step towards reducing e-waste and lowering the total cost of ownership, an important consideration given the high failure rates of tablets distributed in schools by state governments.

Collaborative Excellence for Wider Reach

Developed in collaboration with VVDN, MediaTek, and CoRover.ai, the Milkyway tablet is equipped with BharatGPT and Bhashini, showcasing an inclusive approach to technology that aims to cater to a diverse audience. This collaboration underscores the tablet’s capability to support a broad spectrum of educational needs and linguistic diversity.

Local Manufacturing and Future Prospects

The tablet’s production is a testament to the growing manufacturing capabilities within India, with companies like VVDN and UTL manufacturing the tablet under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. While the current local value addition stands at 50%, there are plans to increase this as the component supplier ecosystem in India continues to expand.

Technical Specifications and Features

Sporting an 8-inch IPS display with a resolution of 800×1280, the Milkyway tablet is powered by a MediaTek 8766A processor, coupled with up to 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage, expandable for additional space. Running on Google’s Android 13, it features a 3MP front camera, an 8MP rear camera, and a replaceable 5,100mAh battery. With support for 4G LTE and Bluetooth 5.0, the tablet is well-equipped for educational purposes and beyond.

Durability and Right to Repair

One of the standout features of the Milkyway tablet is its commitment to longevity and the right to repair. Mr. Chowdhry highlighted that, unlike competitors, the Milkyway is designed to last up to five years, with component pricing set to be reasonable to facilitate repairs anywhere in the country.

Pricing and Availability

Priced at ₹9,900 with financing options available, the Milkyway tablet aims to be an accessible solution for educational institutions and individual learners alike. Iris Waves will take charge of marketing and after-sales service, ensuring that the users have a seamless experience. With 12,000 units already ordered, the Milkyway tablet is poised to make a significant impact on the educational technology market in India.