Microsoft Research India’s Legacy of Innovation
In 2005, Microsoft Research opened its sixth research laboratory in Bangalore, India, marking its third outside the United States. The Microsoft Research India lab was established with a mission to conduct long-term basic and applied research and collaborate with Indian research institutions and universities. Over the past two decades, the lab has achieved an extraordinary record of innovation across various domains.
Early Research and Breakthroughs
Microsoft Research India’s initial focus areas included geographic information systems (GIS), technologies for emerging markets, multilingual systems, and sensor networks. One of the earliest significant projects was the development of ‘Text-Free UIs’ for low-literate users, creating applications for job searching, health information dissemination, and mobile banking.
Expanding Horizons
The lab’s research expanded into various fields, including:
- Digital Green: A participatory video project for agricultural extension services
- 99DOTS: A technology-enabled project for medication adherence
- Project Mélange: Understanding and building tools for code-mixing in multilingual communities
- HAMS: Harnessing automobiles for safety using low-cost sensing devices
Accessibility and Empowerment
Microsoft Research India has made significant contributions to accessibility, including projects like:
- Spatial audio with HoloLens
- Feature phones for children with vision impairments
- Tangible toys for numeracy enhancement
- Quiz platforms for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing community
The lab has also worked on empowering marginalized communities through digital work platforms like Project Karya.
Advancements in AI and Machine Learning
Recent projects have focused on AI and machine learning, including:
- EdgeML: An open-source library for privacy-preserving machine learning on low-resource devices
- LITMUS: Evaluating multilingual models and suggesting improvements
- VeLLM: Developing inclusive applications of large language models for diverse languages and cultures
- CodePlan: A framework for repository-level coding tasks using LLMs
- HealthBots: AI-powered chatbots for patient support
- PromptWizard: A framework for automating prompt optimization for LLMs
Continuing Innovation
As Microsoft Research India celebrates its 20th anniversary, it continues to push the boundaries of technology and societal impact. The lab’s work remains rooted in its mission to accelerate scientific progress and innovation, addressing complex challenges and creating meaningful change in the world.
The journey of Microsoft Research India is a testament to the power of long-term research and collaboration. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a leader in technological innovation, the lab has consistently demonstrated its commitment to creating a better future through technology.
