The world's first Fab Lab in a refugee camp - Updated Answers to Questions from Amplify & Experts 6/30/2015
Inspiring space to crowdsource and co-create innovative solutions for basic needs provision: a platform for moonshot humanitarian innovation
An open-source, ultrasonic echolocation device with haptic feedback for the visually impaired with a 3D-printed casing. We co-created this with Ahmad, a Syrian refugee who was shot across the eyes in the war at age 22 and rendered completely blind. Customization of the device for Ahmad is led by another Syrian refugee who learned how to use a 3D printer in 3 weeks and how to code an Arduino in 3 days. The device costs only $31. Ahmad says he hasn't walked like this in 2 years.
An example of a product we made with a 3D printer and Arduino: a prosthetic hand that costs < $75. The open-source Flexy Hand was co-created with the beneficiary, a 6-year-old Yemeni boy treated by Doctor's Without Borders. When asked who his superhero was, he said, "Ben10." A Jordanian mechanical designer based in Fab Lab Barcelona then customized this hand for him, including an embedded computer with animation of Ben10 aliens. We 3D printed this hand with carbon fiber-reinforced co-polyester.










EXPLAIN YOUR IDEA

![Aerial view of Za'atari, which has become the 4th largest city in Jordan. Photo by U.S. State Department [Public Domain], via WikiMedia.](https://media-openideo-rwd.oiengine.com/media/{width}/9393e589-d0de-4d97-ae50-fe7230b72684.jpg)

WHO BENEFITS?










PROTOTYPE
An example of a product we made with a 3D printer and Arduino: a prosthetic hand that costs < $75. The open-source Flexy Hand was co-created with the beneficiary, a 6-year-old Yemeni boy treated by Doctor's Without Borders. When asked who his superhero was, he said, "Ben10." A Jordanian mechanical designer based in Fab Lab Barcelona then customized this hand for him, including an embedded computer with animation of Ben10 aliens. We 3D printed this hand with carbon fiber-reinforced co-polyester.





An open-source, ultrasonic echolocation device with haptic feedback for the visually impaired with a 3D-printed casing. We co-created this with Ahmad, a Syrian refugee who was shot across the eyes in the war at age 22 and rendered completely blind. Customization of the device for Ahmad is led by another Syrian refugee who learned how to use a 3D printer in 3 weeks and how to code an Arduino in 3 days. The device costs only $31. Ahmad says he hasn't walked like this in 2 years.




FEEDBACK



HOW IS THIS IDEA DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION (OR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS) IS ALREADY DOING?
We're building the world's first digital fabrication lab (Fab Lab) in a refugee camp, with the support of Prof. Neil Gershenfeld, who founded the Fab Lab concept at MIT, and the leadership of the Fab Foundation and Fab Lab Barcelona. While 3D printers are important, it is critical to have a full suite of digital manufacturing tools like CNC routers, laser cutters and milling machines. In combination with conventional power tools, refugees will be able to rapidly prototype nearly any solution. The long-term vision is to create a Google X for the humanitarian sector: a network of makerspaces in conflict zones in which refugees and open-source communities co-create the impossible.HOW WOULD YOU USE AMPLIFY FUNDING AND DESIGN SUPPORT?
The full suite of digital fabrication equipment and materials to start a Fab Lab costs roughly $150,000. This includes a CNC router, milling machine, laser cutter, 3D scanner, oscilloscope, teleconference equipment, audio/visual equipment, electronics components, sensors, actuators, servo motors, molding/casting, safety equipment, computers and starter materials. We would add another $50,000 for conventional tools, such as welding, saws, lathes, drills, clamps, etc. We have a donor willing to match Amplify's contribution. With a $100,000 grant, we would thus cover the costs of all tools/equipment ($200,000). Please see attached for how we will benefit from design support.HOW DOES YOUR IDEA TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE CONTEXT OF THE CHALLENGE?
The Fab Lab is an idea that can be implemented immediately and have immediate impact. There are 450 of such community education centers around the world, though none in a refugee camp, where we believe such a facility could have the most impact. The lab will benefit both males and females. In fact, more women (47%) said the lab would have an "extremely high impact" on self-sufficiency than men (30%). Everything about the facility, including male-female access hours, machine selection, access to day care and transportation are being designed maximize the participation of females. We are also building several labs for host communities in Jordan, and making Amman a regional Fab training hub.SKILL SHARE (optional)
We need experts in human-centered design/ecosystem design. Based on our research, we believe a major challenge will be the huge demand for the lab and the need to regulate access fairly. The politics within the camp are complicated, and getting this right is a huge social design challenge. Moreover, an economist and social designer are needed to help us minimize any negative impacts on the extant economy in the camp. Other needs: graphic designer, hardware/software engineers, crowdfunding expertTELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF




IS THIS AN IDEA THAT YOU OR YOUR ORGANIZATION WOULD LIKE TO TAKE FORWARD?
- Yes, I have implementation capacity and am interested in and able to make this idea real in my community.
19 comments
Join the conversation:
CommentSherri Johnson