GAME ANALYSIS:
Top 25 Zones of
Future Innovation
Speaker Name | Speaker Title
March 2013
© 2013 Institute for the Future. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
11 | Homemade Hardware
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
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11 | Homemade Hardware | Future Innovation
DIY and hacker spaces are turning people
around the world into “makers” of
traditionally imported and purchased
goods.
Hacker spaces, popping up around the world,
have been providing a space for individuals to
access needed tools and resources while
learning from each other about new projects
and techniques for building the things they
want. These spaces—sometimes called maker
spaces or fablabs—are accelerating the
creation of locally made hardware, a big shift
from more familiar software-focused creation.
Inspired in part by the open-source movement,
they are rooted in community, sharing, and
local values. People are looking to these
places as ways to regain power over
consumption costs and upset the balance
between producer and consumer.
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
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11 | Homemade Hardware | From the Players
The maker trend was pushed to a new frontier when players suggested
breaking down production and procurement chains in order to make space for
those downstream to become viable participants in the creation of the products
they buy and use. Some players imagined the potential of hacker spaces to
become the locus of a new form of capacity building.
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
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11 | Homemade Hardware | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Current technology that works
for the poor, that fits poor
people's need and is locally
manufactured/repaired thru
local resources*
Nepal**
*Cards have been lightly edited for readability.
**Player location was self selected.
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
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11 | Homemade Hardware | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Current technology that works
for the poor, that fits poor
people's need and is locally
manufactured/repaired thru
local resources*
Nepal
Use swarm innovation in local
industry to enable
subcontractors in
manufacturing to build
components in the way that is
economical for them
England
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
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11 | Homemade Hardware | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Current technology that works
for the poor, that fits poor
people's need and is locally
manufactured/repaired thru
local resources*
Nepal
Use swarm innovation in local
industry to enable
subcontractors in
manufacturing to build
components in the way that is
economical for them
England
Promote HackerSpaces and
Hack-A-Thons in order to
give everyone a chance to
develop their ideas.
Outstanding ones can win
sponsoring.
Mexico
Promote HackerSpaces and
Hack-A-Thons in order to give
everyone a chance to develop
their ideas. Outstanding ones
can win sponsoring.
Mexico
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
7
11 | Homemade Hardware | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Current technology that works
for the poor, that fits poor
people's need and is locally
manufactured/repaired thru
local resources*
Nepal
Use swarm innovation in local
industry to enable
subcontractors in
manufacturing to build
components in the way that is
economical for them
England
Promote HackerSpaces and
Hack-A-Thons in order to
give everyone a chance to
develop their ideas.
Outstanding ones can win
sponsoring.
Mexico
Maker spaces encouraging
people to build things and
giving them access to
otherwise too expensive tools.
Finland
Maker spaces encouraging
people to build things and
giving them access to
otherwise too expensive tools.
Finland
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
8
11 | Homemade Hardware | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Current technology that works
for the poor, that fits poor
people's need and is locally
manufactured/repaired thru
local resources*
Nepal
Use swarm innovation in local
industry to enable
subcontractors in
manufacturing to build
components in the way that is
economical for them
England
Promote HackerSpaces and
Hack-A-Thons in order to
give everyone a chance to
develop their ideas.
Outstanding ones can win
sponsoring.
Mexico
Maker spaces encouraging
people to build things and
giving them access to
otherwise too expensive tools.
Finland
When a product is
discontinued, the company
that made it should release its
hardware and software as
open source.
Mexico
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
9
11 | Homemade Hardware | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Current technology that works
for the poor, that fits poor
people's need and is locally
manufactured/repaired thru
local resources*
Nepal
Use swarm innovation in local
industry to enable
subcontractors in
manufacturing to build
components in the way that is
economical for them
England
Promote HackerSpaces and
Hack-A-Thons in order to
give everyone a chance to
develop their ideas.
Outstanding ones can win
sponsoring.
Mexico
Maker spaces encouraging
people to build things and
giving them access to
otherwise too expensive tools.
Finland
Create teaching tech shops/
fablabs/hackerspace centers
in Shadow city's that use
materials found in megacity
landfills to create new goods
USA
When a product is
discontinued, the company
that made it should release its
hardware and software as
open source.
Mexico
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
10
11 | Homemade Hardware | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Current technology that works
for the poor, that fits poor
people's need and is locally
manufactured/repaired thru
local resources*
Nepal
Use swarm innovation in local
industry to enable
subcontractors in
manufacturing to build
components in the way that is
economical for them
England
Promote HackerSpaces and
Hack-A-Thons in order to
give everyone a chance to
develop their ideas.
Outstanding ones can win
sponsoring.
Mexico
Maker spaces encouraging
people to build things and
giving them access to
otherwise too expensive tools.
Finland
The picture of success should
be that of a "Maker". A person
who invents, who can make
more with less, and extend the
life of a product.
Mexico
When a product is
discontinued, the company
that made it should release its
hardware and software as
open source.
Mexico
Create teaching tech shops/
fablabs/hackerspace centers
in Shadow city's that use
materials found in megacity
landfills to create new goods
USA
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
11
11 | Homemade Hardware | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Current technology that works
for the poor, that fits poor
people's need and is locally
manufactured/repaired thru
local resources*
Nepal
Use swarm innovation in local
industry to enable
subcontractors in
manufacturing to build
components in the way that is
economical for them
England
When a product is
discontinued, the company
that made it should release its
hardware and software as
open source.
Mexico
Promote HackerSpaces and
Hack-A-Thons in order to
give everyone a chance to
develop their ideas.
Outstanding ones can win
sponsoring.
Mexico
Create teaching tech shops/
fablabs/hackerspace centers
in Shadow city's that use
materials found in megacity
landfills to create new goods
USA
Maker spaces encouraging
people to build things and
giving them access to
otherwise too expensive tools.
Finland
The picture of success should
be that of a "Maker". A person
who invents, who can make
more with less, and extend
the life of a product.
Mexico
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
12
11 | Homemade Hardware
Signals from the Present
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
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11 | Homemade Hardware | Signals from the Present
re:char
re:char’s shop-in-a-box facilities are
off-the-grid, open-source factories
built from 20-foot shipping containers
that produce biochar kilns along with
other biochar technology.
Image Source: www.re-char.com/shop-in-a-box
Fikra Space
Fikra Space is Iraq’s first hacker space.
Launched in October 2012, Fikra Space
provides tools, knowledge, and a
collaborative spirit to help local community
members become part of the local maker
movement.
Image Source: www.facebook.com/FikraSpace
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
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11 | Homemade Hardware | Signals from the Present
Maker Faire Africa
Maker Space Library
Maker Faire Africa 2012 showcased a
urine-powered generator created by
female secondary school students in
Nigeria.
A Westport, Connecticut library has turned
itself into a maker space, attempting to
evolve with the times and maintain a pivotal
role in community development.
Image Source: makerfaireafrica.com/2012/11/06/a-urine-powered-generator
Image Source: www.shareable.net/blog/everyone%E2%80%99s-a-maker-at-thislibrary-maker-space
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
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