The document analyzes the zone of future innovation called "Homemade Hardware". It describes the rise of hacker spaces and maker spaces that allow individuals to access tools to build hardware locally. Players in a game on future forecasting suggested these spaces could break down production chains to empower local participation. Signals from the present include a library maker space and projects from a urine-powered generator to shipping container factories.

1. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
© 2013 Institute for the Future. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
March 2013
Foresight Engine Game Analysis:
25 Zones of
Future Innovation
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
A project by Institute for the Future and The Rockefeller Foundation
www.iftf.org/our-work/global-landscape/catalysts-for-change/catalysts-zones-of-innovation
Contact: Tessa Finlev, tfinlev@iftf.org

2. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
11 | Homemade Hardware
2

3. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
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.
3
11 | Homemade Hardware | Future Innovation
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B

4. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
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.
4
11 | Homemade Hardware | From the Players
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B

5. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 5
Current technology that works
for the poor, that fits poor
people's need and is locally
manufactured/repaired thru
local resources*
Nepal**
11 | Homemade Hardware | Micro-forecasts from the Game
*Cards have been lightly edited for readability.
**Player location was self selected.

6. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 6
11 | Homemade Hardware | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Use swarm innovation in local
industry to enable
subcontractors in
manufacturing to build
components in the way that is
economical for them
England
Current technology that works
for the poor, that fits poor
people's need and is locally
manufactured/repaired thru
local resources*
Nepal

7. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 7
Promote HackerSpaces and
Hack-A-Thons in order to give
everyone a chance to develop
their ideas. Outstanding ones
can win sponsoring.
Mexico
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

8. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 8
11 | Homemade Hardware | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Maker spaces encouraging
people to build things and
giving them access to
otherwise too expensive tools.
Finland
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
Maker spaces encouraging
people to build things and
giving them access to
otherwise too expensive tools.
Finland
Promote HackerSpaces and
Hack-A-Thons in order to
give everyone a chance to
develop their ideas.
Outstanding ones can win
sponsoring.
Mexico

9. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 9
11 | Homemade Hardware | Micro-forecasts from the Game
When a product is
discontinued, the company
that made it should release its
hardware and software as
open source.
Mexico
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
Maker spaces encouraging
people to build things and
giving them access to
otherwise too expensive tools.
Finland
Promote HackerSpaces and
Hack-A-Thons in order to
give everyone a chance to
develop their ideas.
Outstanding ones can win
sponsoring.
Mexico

10. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 10
11 | Homemade Hardware | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Create teaching tech shops/
fablabs/hackerspace centers
in Shadow city's that use
materials found in megacity
landfills to create new goods
USA
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
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
Promote HackerSpaces and
Hack-A-Thons in order to
give everyone a chance to
develop their ideas.
Outstanding ones can win
sponsoring.
Mexico

11. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 11
11 | Homemade Hardware | Micro-forecasts from the Game
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
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
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
Create teaching tech shops/
fablabs/hackerspace centers
in Shadow city's that use
materials found in megacity
landfills to create new goods
USA
Promote HackerSpaces and
Hack-A-Thons in order to
give everyone a chance to
develop their ideas.
Outstanding ones can win
sponsoring.
Mexico

12. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 12
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
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
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
Create teaching tech shops/
fablabs/hackerspace centers
in Shadow city's that use
materials found in megacity
landfills to create new goods
USA
Promote HackerSpaces and
Hack-A-Thons in order to
give everyone a chance to
develop their ideas.
Outstanding ones can win
sponsoring.
Mexico

13. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
Signals from the Present
13
11 | Homemade Hardware

14. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 14
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.
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.
11 | Homemade Hardware | Signals from the Present
re:char
Image Source: www.facebook.com/FikraSpace
Image Source: www.re-char.com/shop-in-a-box

15. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 15
Maker Faire Africa 2012 showcased a
urine-powered generator created by
female secondary school students in
Nigeria.
Maker Space Library
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.
11 | Homemade Hardware | Signals from the Present
Maker Faire Africa
Image Source: www.shareable.net/blog/everyone%E2%80%99s-a-maker-at-this-
library-maker-spaceImage Source: makerfaireafrica.com/2012/11/06/a-urine-powered-generator

16. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
© 2013 Institute for the Future. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
March 2013
Foresight Engine Game Analysis:
25 Zones of
Future Innovation
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
A project by Institute for the Future and The Rockefeller Foundation
www.iftf.org/our-work/global-landscape/catalysts-for-change/catalysts-zones-of-innovation
Contact: Tessa Finlev, tfinlev@iftf.org