PI-COMP

over 7 years ago by dodji

Which problem are you trying to solve?

The social problem I am trying to solve is digital divide and access to technology resources in Africa. There is still a
limited access to computers given its high cost for most consumers in Africa.

How are you going to solve the problem?

To solved this widespread problem in Africa, I would like to design and build a all-in-one low cost computer based on
Raspberry PI and recycled materials, the PI-COMP, with the Olab team.

What is the impact of your project?

PI-COMP will democratize technologies. It will help African kids & students acquire IT skills. They will then be
able to unlock their creativity and contribute to their community well-being.

How can the project be manufactured in the OpenLab?

PI-COMP can be manufactured in the OLab thanks to your digital and human resources. The project will require CNC
milling, Laser cutter machine, product Designer, electronic engineers, and poeple etc

Describe your project in detail

Pi-COMP is a all-in-one computer composed of a central unit interconnected with a flat screen from recycled computers .

The objective of this project is to design and build a low-cost computer replicable locally and easily. Since computers
are still expensive for most African consumers, Pi-COMP is a Low Cost and OpenSource solutions to tackle this issue.
To
meet this objective, we will need the following tools :
- RaspBerry Pi which is a small OpenSource and low cost
computer.
- Recycled Flat computer screens (which are abundant in most African countries and cheap)
Once we have these
devices in hand, the next step is to incorporate the screen and the Raspberry PI into a single container (made if wood
– polywood or other relevant materials). These can also be find easily in Africa.
Once these devices are assembled and
operationalized, Pi-Comps can be installed at local libraries, schools, bookstore, homes, cyberspace, Fablabs, Video
game centers, Offices, etc. They can be connected with local data server and internet so that users can develop their
IT skills, creativity and imagination.
The project should be documented and licensed (Creative Common - CC BY SA) to
make it available to as many people as possible in Africa and around the world.
Pi-Comp was first prototyped at the
DefkoaKniep Fablab (Dakar, Senegal). I would like to rethink the design process by simplifying it.

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Comments

Omarhasayn89 over 7 years ago
A wonderful project ... helps to exploit and recycle materials and teach children on technology ... It is possible to
manufacture computers in front of children eyes and make them train to assemble the parts and this helps to understand
the mechanism of computer work
dodji (Submitter) over 7 years ago
Hello, Omarhasayn89 , thank you for your reply.
Of course it will be possible, and the aim is to do it as you said it.
After we re think, and simplify the building and design process.