PulaCloud Research
Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Major
Environmental Engineering / Biological Sciences
Research Advisor
Oerther, Daniel B.
Advisor's Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Funding Source
Mathes Chair of Environmental Engineering
Abstract
The PulaCloud platform as a business model abstract: the purpose of PulaCloud is to alleviate poverty worldwide. According to the World Bank, international poverty is defined as a daily income below $1.25. In 2010, studies confirmed that there are over 1.4 billion people living in poverty. While direct aid can be a beneficial approach to alleviate poverty, our research team is pursing the alternative hypothesis that poverty alleviation is best achieved through the creation of high paying jobs that provide income and dignity. PulaCloud provides income through jobs performing microtask via the internet. A microtask is the smallest uniquely separable computational task that can be completed by any human being but are difficult for computers to process efficiently. An example of a microtask is transcribing a hand written survey to a standard digital format. Estimates indicate that mirotasking produces $10 billion of income annually. This research project is developing PulaCloud as an information technology platform to complete microtasks in rural Missouri and villages in developing countries as a practical solution for those in poverty.
Biography
Montana moved to Missouri at the age of 10 and started his college career at Missouri S&T in 2008. Montana is a senior in the Civil engineering department graduating in December of 2012. He has also been an Air Force ROTC cadet his entire college career. Through AFROTC he will graduate as a 2nd Lieutenant in the USAF.
Research Category
Social Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Award
Social sciences poster session, Second place
Location
Upper Atrium/Hallway
Presentation Date
10 Apr 2012, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
PulaCloud Research
Upper Atrium/Hallway
The PulaCloud platform as a business model abstract: the purpose of PulaCloud is to alleviate poverty worldwide. According to the World Bank, international poverty is defined as a daily income below $1.25. In 2010, studies confirmed that there are over 1.4 billion people living in poverty. While direct aid can be a beneficial approach to alleviate poverty, our research team is pursing the alternative hypothesis that poverty alleviation is best achieved through the creation of high paying jobs that provide income and dignity. PulaCloud provides income through jobs performing microtask via the internet. A microtask is the smallest uniquely separable computational task that can be completed by any human being but are difficult for computers to process efficiently. An example of a microtask is transcribing a hand written survey to a standard digital format. Estimates indicate that mirotasking produces $10 billion of income annually. This research project is developing PulaCloud as an information technology platform to complete microtasks in rural Missouri and villages in developing countries as a practical solution for those in poverty.
