# From the Lab to the Field
*This is a documentation of the collaborative approach to adapting an open source hardware design for solar thermal desalination to rural conditions.*

### Goal
Integrating solar and co-creating the adaption of OSH and with the people intended to use it.

We already work with individuals from around the world, but we believe that only by working close with local communities can we find meaningful solutions to their conditions.

**#Openness
#Co-Creation
#Design Global - Manufacture Local**

*(Illustration by Leonard Ermel)*

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### Current State

The development of Acraea 2.0 served as a proof of concept. For the development of Acraea 3.0, work is underway to optimize the lab prototype.
The focus of the lab prototype is on functionality, producibility, maintainability and sustainability.


For a successful implementation of the device in the field, attributes such as usability and product appearance must now be followed up in order to become interesting for the end users. For this purpose, data on the initial situation such as water consumption and supply, available resources or waste streams are needed.

### Where to Start?

As a new member of the Global Innovation Gathering network, we were recently able to make contacts with Makerspaces and Fablabs worldwide at the Re:Publica23 community event. One of them is the Fablab Winam in Kisumu, Kenya.

We are exploring the conditions for a possible collaboration.


https://globalinnovationgathering.org/
https://fablabwinam.org/shop.html
https://re-publica.com/en

### Evironmental Analysis

To better understand the local conditions around Kisumu including environmental aspects but also cultural and economic effects, some research should be done. A survey is designed collaboratively to avoid assumptions and to collect complete data.

::: info
**Objective:**
Knowing the potential users of "Solar-Powered Acraea" in a Makerspace-based Product-Service-Model

**Key results:**
1. We know their water challenge (contamination, accessibility, etc.)
2. We know how they currently approach it
3. We know their budget to cover their water needs (e.g. buying plastic bottles)
4. We know their daily consumption of water (and how much for what purpose)

**To Do's:**
- [ ] User/Customer Survey
- [ ] Usage Scenario
- [ ] List of Requirements

:::

### Moblizing a Local Crew
To make the adaption of the design a reality, a small local team is needed to manufacture the open source hardware locally.
This team, which we want to work with, is closely connected to its communities and acts as a facilitator. It serves as a point of collaboration and contact and can be active locally.
To find this crew, we are working out what is needed to integrate solar into LibreWater.

:::info
**Objective:**
Identifying and empowering local stakeholders to build a local economy based on a Makerspace-based Product-Servive-Model

**Key results:**
1. We have contact to a local Maker and/or social entrepreneur
2. We clarify everybodies expectations, needs and wishes
3. Based on that we create a detailed roadmap including deliverables and value exchange

**To Do:**
- [ ] workpackage

:::

### Lessons Learned
Previously we experienced that, especially in an non-profit driven venture, it is crucial to design tasks according to the capacity and core responsibilities of the core team. Activities that go beyond this should be outsourced and offered to the community in a meaningful way. Therefore, an appropriate work package should be worked out together with FabLab Winam.

### Strategy

graph LR

Goals --> Ressources --> Data --> Requirements --> Work-Packages

1. Jointly define the Vision - Fundamental Goals - Instrumental Goals
2. Research resource streams (Environmental Analysis)
3. Collect data from the community
4. Create a List of Requirements
5. Activate a small local Team
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follow up:

6. Host an open Brainstorming
7. Co-design & Review sessions