Our Values
Open-source solutions provide peace of mind that your data is protected and not being used by anyone else. These solutions can be spread by creating hardware and software that can be enhanced by others.
Open source
Off Grid
The internet has brought many problems to our planet, so we are trying to find or promote offline solutions.
Research Driven
We strive to address the problems faced by small-scale farmers. We examine past research and try to improve upon it using systems thinking and innovative approaches.
Sovereignty of the Community
Sovereignty is defined as the right of peoples to culturally appropriate products that are produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own products and systems.
A community starts to be formed […], when individual humans beings find that they aren’t self-sufficient, but that each of them has plenty of requirements which they can’t fulfill on their own (Plato, 1998, p. 369b).
Sustainable
Sustainability: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Hauff et al., 1987). We take social and ecological sustainability into account. All materials we use are fully compostable.
Design
We integrate design into every product, because it encompasses form, function and routines.
Impact
We try to assess and prevent unintended consequences of our products.
Curiosity
By being mindful and open-minded, we listen to people and understand their diverse perspectives and preferences for the planet. As we ask questions and listen, people begin to share more than we initially asked for, which is insightful. These new insights lead to innovation.
Low Tech
Our initial approach prioritises the implementation of low-tech solutions that can be built and used anywhere.
Cosmopolitans
We believe that the planet is big enough for everyone and that, with the right technology, you can live anywhere. Furthermore, we believe that our open-source research solutions should be freely available to download and applicable in every country on earth.
Innovative
We strive for innovation. Technical innovation involves creating a novel and advanced solution to a specific problem, particularly through the introduction of a product or the application of a new process. This shifts the supply curve.
We try to focus on all phases of the innovation process. According to Braun-Thürmann (2005), the innovation process consists of the following phases: discovery, development, invention and diffusion.
Braun-Thürmann, H. (2005). Innovation. transcript Verlag.
Hauff, V., Brundtland, G. H., 1939-, Politiker, Unternehmensberater, Dr. rer. pol, Backnang, 1940-, 09.08.1940-, & World Commission on Environment and Development. (1987). Unsere gemeinsame Zukunft: [Der Brundtland-Bericht der Weltkommission für Umwelt und Entwicklung] / [Hrsg.: Volker Hauff] (Ungekürzte Ausg.). Greven : Eggenkamp.
Plato (with Waterfield, R.). (1998). Republic. Oxford University Press USA - OSO.
