The Maker Movement responds to COVID-19
What have we learnt so far?
In the last couple of weeks there has been massive response from maker communities around the world to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Free and Open Source Hardware (FOSH) is the backbone of the Maker Movement.
And we’re seeing it play an important role in the development of ventilators, face shields, face masks, diagnostics and other widgets to tackle the spread and treatment of coronavirus.
So what have we learnt so far?
1. The Maker Movement can step in when current systems fail
Last week we learnt about how this group of Italian makers started 3D printing life-saving valves for ventilators when the supplier couldn’t deliver them in time.
2. Digital fabrication has a role to play but low-tech approaches are also valuable
3D printing has certainly captured the imagination of the Maker Movement. But large numbers of people are using traditional tools e.g. sewing machines to produce much-needed items like face masks. These low-tech approaches have also been adopted by marginalised communities, such as refugees.
3. This is a translocal movement
Global networks are mobilising behind a common goal. Yet as projects grow in size, locally-organised and locally-oriented projects seem to be gathering the most momentum.
What challenges and opportunities are there?
1. There’s a need for better linkages between makers and clinicians
Some makers are developing generic items even if a need hasn’t been genuinely established. Groups seem to be copying other designs without validating an actual need.
In other cases, the maker community have already found solutions, but these aren’t being shared widely with medical practitioners.
We need more effective calls to action to facilitate better links between makers and clinicians.
2. Self-organisation can be tricky
There’s been an unprecedented global response but managing this commitment has been a challenge.
Some projects have struggled to identify a clear mission or purpose. Initiatives need to clearly scope out their aims and avoid mission creep.
3. Projects tend to operate as isolated initiatives
In the last two weeks, countless new projects, hackathons and competitions have been launched to tackle COVID-19. We need more joined up thinking to avoid unnecessary replication of effort.
Attempts to document and track these projects are now emerging. In the next phase, we need to build on these and find more effective and concise ways to share knowledge.
4. There are lots of new designs but only a few groups are reviewing and testing
More groups are needed to evaluate current initiatives. For example, endcoronavirus.org have done a great initial job reviewing and analysing open source ventilators for COVID-19.
We need more efforts like this to identify potential design oversights and areas to focus on. Which brings me to my next point…
5. Quality, quality, quality
We need more rigorous testing of parts. Without this we risk that lots of design effort is being invested in projects that can’t possibly be implemented at scale.
6. Dealing with unsourced and unverified information
It’s difficult to find out which projects are being implemented where and what impact they are having. For example, there has been lots of press about Decathlon snorkelling masks being adapted and used as ventilator masks in Italy.
Although this unverified post claims that 500 of these masks are currently being used by patients in Italy, other reports claim that the project is still under development after being successfully tested on one individual.
We urgently need more transparent feedback about the current status of projects, especially as we see them being quickly replicated across the world.
7. Intellectual Property remains a thorny problem
Despite the success of this start-up in delivering life-saving parts for ventilators, the manufacturer of the original part is apparently threatening to sue them for infringing their patents.
Measures are needed to ensure that projects are not blocked from providing urgent medical supplies.
8. We can learn from Humanitarian codes of conducts
The Maker Movement needs to get ethical. We need to pay close attention to the behaviours and standards that uphold equitable solutions. We can learn from the Humanitarian and Medical sector who both have codes of practice.
Conclusions
This is a fast moving field…
and ultimately we’ll have to see where it takes us over the next weeks and months.
At a time where a third of the world is in lockdown, it’s uplifting to see the efforts of the Maker Movement who are often collaborating remotely across borders.
But as we’re moving forward, let’s stay well-informed and connected to ensure an effective response to this crisis.
I’m always keen to speak with other people who are researching and working on similar topics! If you have any comments, questions or want discuss these ideas further, don’t hesitate to reach out to me at lc500@cam.ac.uk
