Rural Vending Machines Simplify Access to Daily Essentials
Reimagining our Rural Villages
Tags: IIT Hyderabad, India, Construction & Smart Cities, Consumer Goods & Services
The Reimagining Rural Villages Value Chain project, supported by the Suzuki Innovation Centre and IITH Department of Design, explores strategies to enhance rural access to essential products and services. Extensive surveys and focus group discussions in Telangana villages revealed the challenges of long travel distances for basic needs and a willingness to adopt solutions closer to home. The project proposed installing vending machines in villages to provide the top-needed products, reducing travel and improving the quality of life. The intervention is in the assessment phase, with villagers responding enthusiastically to this action-oriented research. Insights from the project aim to bridge rural-urban gaps in supply chains and empower rural communities with practical solutions.
IP Type or Form Factor: Design; Device
TRL: 6 - prototype validated in intended environment
Industry or Tech Area: Smart Cities & Urban Planning; Retail & E-Commerce
