Location: Cambridge, MA, USA

Problem: Most of the nearly two billion children in the devel

oping world are inadequately educated or receive

no education at all. One in three does not complete the fifth grade. At the same time, their governments struggle to compete in a rapidly evolving global information economy, hobbled by a vast and increasingly urban underclass that cannot support itself.

Client: Developing countries

Designers: Nicholas Negroponte, Mary Lou Jepsen, Design Continuum and Yves Béhar of Fuseproject

Solution: The XO is a $175 laptop designed for students in emerging nations. (However, the target price is $100 and OLPC expects the current price to decline as volumes increase in 2008 and beyond.) Each machine features a wireless router and a webcam. A transformer hinge configures the laptop for e-book reading and gaming. An extra-wide touchpad supports pointing, drawing and writing. A screen that is sunlight readable is available. Containing no hazardous materials, its energy efficient batteries can be hand-powered by a pull cord.

(http://www.design21sdn.com/feature/31)