Virtual Digital Fabrication

Our solution transforms cardboard boxes into virtual digital fabrication equipment through an Augmented Reality app. The smartphone accessible app, overlays a cardboard box with the functions of the equipment so that an entire class of learners can have the opportunity learn simultaneously.

In many countries with large populations of disadvantaged youth, vocational training remains the most viable pathway into the workforce and a decent economic future. However, youth coming out of these institutions often lack sufficient skills to secure employment or start their own business - leading to high rates of youth unemployment. However, during our fieldwork on the ground in Indonesia and India, we often came across the routine problem of a lack in teaching equipment at vocational training institutes. In particular, we aim to address the lack of access to digital fabrication equipment by disadvantaged youth, particularly in rural areas. 

• CBI/Accenture report - current skills system is focused on the provision of lower skills and lack routes to higher skills other than through degree courses which are not viable option for disadvantaged youth.
• McKinsey report - Cost is a great barrier for students undertaking vocational training.
• ILO report - Youth in South Asia leave school without skills that are demanded by employers.

We believe that our proposal will solve this challenge because it strengthens the vocational training system, reduces the cost of vocational training and allows the teaching of skills that are in demand by employers in a future.

There are three stakeholders who will be impacted by the solution:

• Vocational Training Institutes - Reduction in the cost of content delivery and need for purchasing physical machines.
• Youth attending Vocational Training - Exposure to latest, personalised and best-in-class skills content that stands them a higher chance of employment.
• Employers - Who can get access to relevantly trained youth to allow their business to compete in the global marketplace.

Track tuition fee per head at vocational training institutes. - Reduction in the cost of content delivery and need for purchasing physical machines.

Track downloads in the app store and usage data from app and learning outcomes through assessments. - Exposure to latest, personalised and best-in-class skills content that stands them a higher chance of employment.

Track survey data about satisfaction from employers at 3 months & 6 months post-employment. - Employers get access to relevantly trained youth

Most used of augmented reality for training have been in the form of mimicking car engines and other fixed plant equipment by overlaying information on the actual equipment itself. 

Our solution is unique because:

1. It is applied to digital fabrication tools.
2. Does not require the need of the actual equipment but merely a cardboard representation of the item.
3. Allows manipulation of knobs and buttons on the machine to very closely replicate actual workflow.
4. Linked to design software. i.e. CAD file can be loaded into the machine and you can see the part being machined virtually.

The solution is human centred because:

1. It makes use of technology that is readily available - the ubiquitous smart phone with camera function.
2. Uses materials (cardboard) that is readily available or cheap to buy and transport.
3. Focuses on the strengthening existing institutions (i.e. vocational institutes) and systems instead of creating new ones.

Our solution will be deployed through partnerships with vocational institutes in Bandung, Indonesia and Tamil Nadu, India. There are classes at these institutions focused on equipping students with skills in digital fabrication and we intend to integrate the app within those lessons.

The app will be available on the Google Play appstore or downloadable in class through a mobile AP.

In the research and pilot phase, we will be relying on the revenue generated by our existing Maker Education programs in digital fabrication and electronics.

In the later phases, we will be charging the vocational institutions a fee for the use of our app and relying on a combination of grants and other licensing income sources (i.e. through the use of the app for commercial training at large corporates).

Mobile phones come with different operating systems, so our app may not be cross-compatible with older versions of Android or non-supported operating systems.

Jobs requiring digital fabrication may not be readily available in the areas that we operate in, so there might be reduced demand for such learning. It's typically a Catch-22 situation where if the skills personnel don't exist, the jobs don't arrive and vice-versa.

Organisational challenges with vocational institutes who for matters of policy may not be in a position to adopt our system.

https://www.facebook.com/makedemy/

https://www.facebook.com/notes/the-maker-circle/tech-saturday-s1-4-augmented-reality-diy-magnetic-stirrer/1597825770244960/

Coming from a small organization in an even smaller country such as Singapore, we are surrounded by larger less developed countries with high degrees of social immobility largely due to a lack of access to economic opportunities. In today's world, such a combination of unemployed youth and access to pervasive social media is a potent combination for social instability as we are already seeing throughout the world.

We are applying to solve because we think we have a solid idea that can make a difference and desire a global platform to take our idea to the next level.

1. Intel Inc - Implementation partner for Make Tomorrow Program in Singapore
2. Autodesk Inc - Autodesk ASEAN and Education
3. Youth Corps Singapore - Community Partner and Mentor

There are no direct competitors at the moment, except companies that are working in AR for education