Vodafone Spain Foundation and Qualcomm Collaborate to Help Intellectually Disabled Workers Perform Their Daily Jobs

BARCELONA, Spain, February 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

- Augmented Reality Improves Individuals' Autonomy at Work and Quality of Life -

Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM), through its Wireless Reach™ initiative, Vodafone Spain Foundation (VSF) and the APROCOR Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at improving the quality of life of the intellectually disabled and their families, today presented the Augmented Reality for e-labora project, which aims to help workers with intellectual disabilities integrate into the labor market.   

People with intellectual disabilities need assistance to perform work tasks, such as how to replenish depleted products on store shelves or what to do when a copy machine runs out of paper. With this in mind, the Augmented Reality for e-labora project, implemented by VSF and the APROCOR Foundation and supported by the Spanish Government through the Avanza 2 Plan (TSI-040500-2010-85), seeks to develop a new paradigm of accessible work environments. This project will work to improve the integration of intellectually disabled persons in the workplace, creating an environment that enhances their safety, emotional stability, communication, self-determination and participation.

Using Qualcomm's Vuforia™ augmented reality (AR) platform, 3G-enabled smartphones and tablets, and applications and content created by VSF, the project incorporates AR into job coaching and training activities.  

With a grant from Qualcomm's Wireless Reach initiative, these AR-enabled devices will be used as personal support tools that provide communication, scheduling functions, on-location tutoring, step-by-step training, task descriptions and other relevant information. Applications include an office navigation tool, a printer instruction guide, and a manual to help gardeners and supermarket stockers through their daily tasks. For example, with the EasyUse AR application, the user points a mobile device at a printer to access an interactive instruction guide with easy-to-understand learning commands that have been digitally superimposed onto the physical environment.

"Qualcomm's Vuforia platform improves the autonomy and integration of the intellectually disabled in the work environment," said Ramon Corral, chairman of the APROCOR Foundation. "It's very helpful for identifying people, giving information about their responsibilities, describing the space they are working in, or offering advice on how to use a device."

"Augmented Reality enabled through 3G connectivity offers new opportunities to improve people's lives," said Shawn A. Covell, vice president for Qualcomm's Wireless Reach initiative. "We are very pleased to collaborate again with our long-term partner Vodafone Spain Foundation and APROCOR Foundation on this project to support an important community of workers. This project demonstrates how AR on mobile devices can be an effective tool to allow people to achieve their full potential."

"The Augmented Reality for e-labora project is a good example of how VSF helps build strategic collaborations across relevant stakeholders to match social knowledge with technology in order to achieve as a team what we can't do individually," said Santiago Moreno, general manager of Vodafone Spain Foundation. "With this project, we have the opportunity use technology to change the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and make a difference by promoting independent living and personal autonomy."

Qualcomm's Vuforia platform is among more than 30 innovative wireless solutions the company is demonstrating during Mobile World Congress 2012, February 27-March 1 in Barcelona, Spain. In addition to this project, Wireless Reach will demonstrate how a 3G-enabled cardiovascular monitoring system is helping patients within rural regions of China, and how a mobile phone and microfinance loan is enabling entrepreneurs in Indonesia to operate businesses through the re-selling of airtime minutes to neighbors. To view the demonstrations, visit Qualcomm's exhibit in the Fira Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 8, #8B53.

Additional information on the project is available at http://www.qualcomm.com/vsf-project

About APROCOR Foundation

APROCOR Foundation is a private non-profit organization with the objective of promoting and executing activities in different fields, aimed to improve the quality of life of the intellectually disabled and their families, supporting everyone's life plan and promoting, in all situations, a more inclusive social model. APROCOR is focused in offering opportunities that promote personal fulfilment, personal independence and social and labour integration. For more information, visit http://www.fundacionaprocor.com

About Vodafone Spain Foundation

Vodafone Spain Foundation aims at promoting accessible ICT and using ICT for providing accessible solutions for the elderly and people with special needs. Its programmes comprise the development of innovative projects for the promotion of active and healthy ageing, independent living and personal autonomy. It is committed to improving the social and labour integration of vulnerable groups training them on ICTs and helping to advance their careers. For more information, visit http://www.fundacionvodafone.es

About Qualcomm and its Wireless Reach Initiative

Qualcomm believes access to 3G and next-generation mobile technologies can improve people's lives. Qualcomm's Wireless Reach initiative is a strategic program that brings wireless technology to underserved communities globally. By working with partners, Wireless Reach invests in projects that foster entrepreneurship, aid in public safety, enhance the delivery of health care, enrich teaching and learning and improve environmental sustainability. For more information please visit http://www.qualcomm.com/wirelessreach  

Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) is the world leader in 3G and next-generation mobile technologies. For more than 25 years, Qualcomm ideas and inventions have driven the evolution of digital communications, linking people everywhere more closely to information, entertainment and each other. For more information, visit Qualcomm's website, OnQ blog, Twitter and Facebook pages.

Qualcomm is a registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Vuforia and Wireless Reach are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Qualcomm Contacts:
Tina Asmar, Corporate Communications
Phone: +1-858-845-5959
Email: corpcomm@qualcomm.com

Warren Kneeshaw, Investor Relations
Phone: +1-858-658-4813
Email: ir@qualcomm.com

Vodafone Spain Foundation Contact:
Concha Serrano, Corporate Communications
Phone: +34-610-513-474
Email: concha.serrano@vodafone.com