Makers, Hackspaces and Appropriate Technology
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Transcript of Makers, Hackspaces and Appropriate Technology
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