Made4You

DIY healthcare: for all, by all

In the European project, Made4You, we're building an international learning community of makers, care recipients, and healthcare professionals over a three year period. We're developing an international platform for accessible Do-It-Yourself care applications for all of us and by all of us.

Have you ever wanted to make a homemade microscope? A 3D-printed finger splint? A DIY prosthesis? The rise of digital manufacturing technology means it's easier and cheaper than ever to develop high-quality healthcare applications or hack existing tools on your own.

New Fablabs and other maker spaces are opening their doors across the globe. With Made4You,  Europe is researching the potential of this fast-growing maker movement in healthcare. But the research isn't just about finding new applications. Mainstream maker culture is also about building new economic models. The healthcare sector should be made both future-proof and affordable, but older economic models threaten its security. Made4You is looking for generative solutions for everyone in an open infrastructure.

The Made4You mission

In building a centralised, international platform for documentation, Made4You takes DIY healthcare the the next level. The project seeks to involve and connect relevant communities, bring care recipients directly into the design practice (with the 'users as designers' model), and make knowledge and expertise accessible to everyone. And by involving private organisations and sponsors, Made4You also increases the impact of the ecosystem.

Waag's role in Made4You

Waag is responsible primarily for community engagement. We will actively involve citizens, health care professionals, designers and institutions in the realisation of Made4You's ambitions. Additionally, we will develop new care solutions and will be involved in the reproduction process of documented solutions. Waag brings years of digital manufacturing experience to the development of the platform and documentation tools.

With the Made4You project, our Creative Care Lab will bring its MakeHealth programme to an international level.

The partners in this project are Zentrum für Social Innovation (coordinator, AT), opendot (IT), Fablab Berlin (DE), Global Innovation Gathering (DE), Wevolver (UK), KU Leuven (BE), Togethertogo (IT).