Makers, Hackspaces andAppropriate Technology

Matt Littlematt@re-innovation.co.ukwww.re-innovation.co.uk

Appropriate Technology

E F Schumacher – Wrote “Small is beautiful” 'Appropriate size for everything'

General idea: “encompassing technological choice and

application that is small scale, labour intensive, energy efficient, environmentally sound and locally controlled”

People centred

Why is it relevant?

1 in 4 without access to electricity 1 in 6 never touched a phone 1 in 3 has access to a computer 75% energy used in 'developed' countries 1 in 5 does not have access to safe drinking

water 1 in 3 does not have access to adequate

sanitation

Why is it relevant?

Benefits of access to energy

Reduced hours spent doing labour intensive tasks Improved lighting

Extended working hours can be economically beneficial Less indoor air pollution

Improved communications Improved healthcare Improved education Reduced time spent on labour intensive tasks Access to information etc etc

Issues

Reasons why not all technology is appropriate Social Political Western influence Not economic markets ….discuss

Ideas

Simple Robust Local supply and repair Local knowledge Local skills Maintenance Modular

Examples

Pedal power: In Nepal

www.ecosystemsnepal.com

In Guatemalahttp://www.mayapedal.org/

Examples

Fab Labs: Kenya - http://www.fablab.co.ke/ India - http://www.vigyanashram.com/ South Africa –

http://web.media.mit.edu/~neilg/neil/06.02.Sosh/

Examples

blueEnergy http://www.blueenergygroup.org/?lang=en

Practical Action http://practicalaction.org/

How to join makers and AT?

Most folk in remote locations are already makers and inventors.

To help with that: Introduce production facilities locally Place to discuss ideas with high access to

information Connect problems to makers Design, build and test ideas Access to fund and technology

How to join makers and AT

Practical Action Geek club

http://practicalaction.org/geekclub-1

Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Sustainable_devel

opment

Engineers Without Borders “Small is....” Festival

http://www.ewb-uk.org/smallis2011

Nottingham hackspace

Proposed Appropriate Technology group Meet fortnightly to discuss and work on these

ideas and projects Connect with similar groups

EWB Nottingham branch Practical Action Geek Club?

Initial project idea

Micro-hydro power electronic load controller

Imported unit cost/ complexity/ external reliance

Proposed unit modular/ low cost/ local manufacture