IEEE MOVE Comes To India To Help Disaster Workers

Introduction to IEEE MOVE

IEEE with the IEEE MOVE Outreach India program, launched its first Mobile Outreach Vehicle (MOVE) to be deployed outside the United States. The MOVE India Vehicle was unveiled on July 21 at the IEEE India Office, World Trade Center, Bengaluru. I was able to join IEEE President Kathleen Kramer and IEEE President Elect Mary Ellen Randell in Bangalore, India for the launch of the first Indian MOVE truck.

The MOVE India Vehicle

The vehicle is designed to bring educational resources to communities in India and, in the future, provide communication and technology support to relief workers during emergencies in Karnataka. The Indian web site says that, when not deployed for disaster relief efforts, the IEEE MOVE vehicle will be taken to schools, events, and other venues to educate the public—showcasing leading technologies and raising awareness about the positive impact these technologies have on society.

Features of the MOVE India Vehicle

The MOVE truck is built on a rugged Force Traveller chassis and engineered to navigate India’s diverse terrains, the IEEE MOVE India Vehicle’s modular design, power system, and advanced emergency communication suite provide the technology and communication tools relief workers need in the event of a disaster. The vehicle also provides a catalyst for STEM education and sustainability awareness. The MOVE India Vehicle has a grid and solar-powered energy setup with a hybrid inverter and lithium-ion battery bank, delivering up to 30 hours of energy. The onboard communications include a Wi-Fi 6e antenna suite, 4G connectivity, and HAM radio systems to provide seamless, high-bandwidth communication during emergencies.

STEM Education and Outreach

Inside, the vehicle carries interactive STEM kits aimed at educating students and communities on climate change, disaster preparedness, and sustainable technologies. The STEM program is expected to reach over 100 schools annually, beginning with operations in Karnataka, and will expand further to other states across India.

IEEE MOVE Program

IEEE MOVE stands for Mobile Outreach VEhicle, is a program focused on providing disaster relief and STEM education. It utilizes a specially designed vehicle to deliver emergency communication, power, and computing services to areas affected by natural disasters. Additionally, the vehicle and its resources are used for educational outreach, showcasing technology and its positive impact on society. There are three MOVE trucks in the USA with the first one commissioned in 2016. In the US the MOVE trucks have been deployed to assist the Red Cross 40 times for various types of natural disasters. It has participated in STEM outreach events many more times. The trucks have been based in the Southeastern US as well as in California.

Global Expansion of IEEE MOVE

In addition to the three US MOVE trucks and the new one in India, Puerto Rico has a group of IEEE volunteers who have modular boxes of gear to help with communications and power needs for disaster workers that they can put into a vehicle and deploy on the island when needed. The IEEE MOVE disaster relief and STEM program expanded into INDIA with the launch of the first MOVE India truck.

Conclusion

The launch of the IEEE MOVE India truck marks a significant milestone in the expansion of the IEEE MOVE program globally. With its state-of-the-art features and focus on STEM education and disaster relief, the MOVE India truck is poised to make a positive impact on communities in India.

FAQs

Q: What is the IEEE MOVE program?
A: The IEEE MOVE program is a disaster relief and STEM education program that utilizes a specially designed vehicle to deliver emergency communication, power, and computing services to areas affected by natural disasters.
Q: How many MOVE trucks are there in the US?
A: There are three MOVE trucks in the US, with the first one commissioned in 2016.
Q: What is the goal of the STEM program in India?
A: The STEM program in India aims to reach over 100 schools annually, beginning with operations in Karnataka, and will expand further to other states across India.
Q: What are the features of the MOVE India Vehicle?
A: The MOVE India Vehicle has a grid and solar-powered energy setup, onboard communications including Wi-Fi 6e antenna suite, 4G connectivity, and HAM radio systems, and carries interactive STEM kits.
Q: Where was the MOVE India Vehicle launched?
A: The MOVE India Vehicle was launched at the IEEE India Office, World Trade Center, Bengaluru.