Texas Instruments launches scientific calculators in India

Chipmaker Texas Instruments (TI) on Wednesday launched a new range of scientific calculators in India suited for engineering, science and commerce students.

The Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Ms D. Purandeswari, launched the products at a function here.

The domestic market for scientific calculators is estimated at Rs 250 crore. About three million units are sold annually with a Compounded Annual Growth Rate of 15 per cent. TI will be competing with players such as Casio and Sharp in the Indian market.

Priced between Rs 490 and Rs 890, the calculators can be used from basic calculations to 2-variable statistics, conversions, regression analysis and scientific data plotting. Students can enter equations, formulas and expressions on the calculator.

Dr Peter Balyta, General Manager (Sales and Marketing) Education Technology of TI, Asia, said the company had a slew of new products in the pipeline for the Indian market aimed at providing innovative mathematics and science education tools. “While some of these are being developed at our R&D centre in Bangalore to suit the Indian market, others are being introduced from our global portfolio,” he told media persons.

While the designs are done at TI's Texas unit, production for the Indian market was being undertaken in China. “Once our sales reach a certain level, we will consider setting up a manufacturing facility here,” he said.

TI has just completed a pilot project on smart classroom-learning solutions in nine schools. It is now set to enter the market with commercial solutions on this product, looking to tie-up with different colleges and schools. “The aim is to increase students' engagement in the classroom learning process. TI is also exploring opportunities to introduce the learning solutions for higher education,” Dr Balyta said
Key word:scientific calculators