D4E1 launches sharing platform on customized tools

D4E1 launches sharing platform on customized tools

No two persons or disabilities are the same and yet these unique users can only choose from a small range of universal tools. Assisted by the rise of digital manufacturing and the unlimited amount of knowledge accessible via the internet, basically anyone can now make and develop tools themselves, something that was previously reserved to large factories.

A new generation of occupational therapists and makers is taking actions and innovates custom-made tools in fablabs in the project Design for (every)one (D4E1), the result of a collaboration between the Industrial Product Design and Occupational Therapy study departments. Fablabs (fabrication laboratories) are cooperative workshops where inventors and developers can make use of a collective infrastructure. D4E1 opens the way to new open-source design scenarios in which citizens are able to develop and produce customized tools and to distribute the same among them. Unfortunately, until today there is no Belgian sharing platform where they can meet or share their experiences. In addition, many tools are no longer used after a certain period of time. With minor adjustments we can often put these back to good use.

The Design for (every)one living lab is one of the global pioneers within Do It Yourself - Assistive Technology (DIY-AT). Since 2009, a lot of knowledge has been acquired not only through community service learning, but also through scientific research. However, the demand for personalized tools is even higher than the supply that we, as Howest, can transform.