Using digital fabrication tools to provide humanitarian and development aid in low-resource settings
View / Open Files
Publication Date
2019-08-01Journal Title
Technology in Society
ISSN
0160-791X
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
58
Type
Article
This Version
AM
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Corsini, L., Aranda-Jan, C., & Moultrie, J. (2019). Using digital fabrication tools to provide humanitarian and development aid in low-resource settings. Technology in Society, 58 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2019.02.003
Abstract
The emergence of new digital fabrication tools is radically changing the way products are designed and manufactured. Recently the humanitarian and development sector has become interested in how digital fabrication tools (3D printers, laser cutters and CNC mills) can help to address the world’s most pressing problems. The benefits of these technologies have been widely reported in the context of high-resource settings, however there is little understanding about their use in more resource constrained settings. In order to address this gap in knowledge, this paper presents a systematic literature review of digital fabrication-led interventions in the humanitarian and development sector in low-resource settings. The review analyses various applications of digital fabrication tools and introduces six product archetypes that describe approaches for using digital fabrication tools in the humanitarian and development sector. Additionally, the study discusses the key benefits, challenges and enablers associated with using digital fabrication tools in low-resource settings. In conclusion, the review draws attention to the need for more holistic, long-term thinking about the social sustainability of these digital design and fabrication-led interventions.
Sponsorship
The research is supported by funding from the EPSRC Doctoral Training Programme, grant number EP/L504920/1
Funder references
EPSRC (EP/L504920/1)
Embargo Lift Date
2022-03-04
Identifiers
External DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2019.02.003
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/290180
Rights
Licence:
http://www.rioxx.net/licenses/all-rights-reserved