Innovation: dukaPC
Denmark
AAI Domains:
Capacity and enabling environment (use of ICT)
Independent, healthy and secure living (lifelong learning)
The provision of many services in both the public and private sector are increasingly performed online. The rise of internet shopping in many countries over the last decade is testament to this trend and increasingly governments looking for efficiency savings are often expecting citizens to perform tasks online rather than in an office or over the telephone.
Technology, particularly home computing, has become an integral part of everyday life for virtually all people under the age of 40 years who have grown up during the technological revolution of the last 30 years or so. However, the danger is that this process creates digital divides between those who are competent users of ICT and older people who are often wary of using personal computers. There is enormous potential for social innovations that are able to bridge this digital divide between the provision of online services and people of all ages who have not used a computer or who are reluctant users of ICT.
Denmark is at the forefront of the provision of online public services, but this poses a great challenge that is being met in Denmark by dukaPC, a relatively small ICT company that was founded in 2010 who have developed a range of very user-friendly products that even a novice computer user can master in a short period of time. They have developed two models of desktop computer, a laptop, tablet and a dukaBox that can be plugged into a television using an HDMI cable to provide internet access. All of the machines use a Windows based operating system that connects to a central operating system that provides online protection and system updates.
For a monthly subscription that ranges from 99DKR (around €12) to 249DKR (€33) users can have unlimited telephone support if they are experiencing difficulties and there are also a range of online video tutorials. Service users then also have internet access, a secure method for online payments, video calls, an easy to use email system, access to specific local information as well as to the widely used services such as Facebook and Twitter.
There are also online music and movie services, digital photo storage and an easy to use suite of office services including a word processor thus offering all of the services associated with a regular personal computer or laptop. The dukaPC line has sold more than 20,000 units in Denmark and there are now similar versions for the British, German and Norwegian markets.
In relation to active ageing, dukaPC enables the use of ICT for people with no experience of using a personal computer, laptop or tablet. It is basic, simple and centralised system that is intuitively easy to use and allows people to connect online through social media, video calls and traditional telephone services that are unlimited and included in the monthly subscription service.
Whilst this is not face to face social connectedness, it is clear that people who communicate with their family and friends on a regular basis are more likely to feel strong social connections and have a reduced risk of social isolation and loneliness that can affect people of any age. Developing ICT skills is also a form of lifelong learning and is increasingly part of modern life in many societies that require more activities to be performed online.