We work with people with a disability who have a specific need, Need-Knowers and connect them with a diverse group of Volunteers, including engineers, industrial designers, health professionals, tradespeople and tinkerers.
Together, the team designs and builds prototypes that solve specific challenges and improve the everyday life of the Need-Knower. Prototype designs are shared open-source under Projects. This allows anyone from around the world to replicate or enhance the design within their community.
Projects
Development Stages
A challenge is a need identified and presented by a Need-Knower that currently has no solution available on the market.
A concept is a basic idea raised by TOM's maker community of solving a challenge. Concepts include a description of the suggested solution, basic visualisation such as a sketch or a rendering, and preferably the Need-Knower's input about the solution.
A Working Model is a model that proves the basic assumptions or features of the proposed solution. It can be made of any material but must include sketches, photos or CAD files that can help replicate that model. It should also include feedback from a Need-Knower after at least one user test. At this stage, the model may not have been assessed or tested for safety.
A Prototype is a solution used regularly by at least one Need-Knower. This stage must include additional considerations such as safety, functionality, durability, comfort, ergonomics, ease of use, aesthetics, and other usability scenarios. It can be made with any material and technology, but preferably those found in a makerspace. A prototype must have undergone and passed a safety assessment.
For a project to be considered an Open-Source Product, it must be bound to “Basic Square” guidelines: made using materials or components are available through retail stores, or using manufacturing techniques accessible through makerspaces, relatively affordable, and tested on at least two different users, one of which is not the project's original Need-Knower. At this stage the product is easily replicable or customisable and ready to be manufactured in a makerspace.
A TOM Melbourne Product is a product developed by TOM Melbourne for low to medium volume production, to be distributed within the community. The design must have been developed in collaboration with Need-Knowers, ensuring the final design meets the needs of many in the community. The products must also satisfy safety and quality requirements and are available to purchase, ready made through TOM Melbourne. These designs do not have to utilise open-source manufacturing materials and processes, but ideally there should be an open-source equivalent version of the design made available.
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