MEP EP#272: The Digital Mattress

Circuit Break - A MacroFab Podcast

MEP EP#272: The Digital Mattress

• Right To Repair
  • Ease of opening for repairs
    • This sounds great but I have some thoughts
    • Reason why phones are hard to open now
    • Security screws only keep out people that probably shouldn’t be opening the device anyways
    • Ultrasonic welding and potting?
  • Access to manuals
    • What if repair manuals don't exist for a product?
    • Small and medium volume products don’t have the revenue or volume to make this kind of documentation
  • Schematics, Circuit Diagrams, and Firmware Accessible
    • What if the schematic is the secret sauce?
    • Schematics are easily reverse engineered from a PCB assembly.
    • What mechanics will be put in place to prevent cloning?
  • Hardware Vs Software
  • Tesla
    • Software unlock to increase motor output by 50HP
    • August software update
  • License
    • Make all contracts clearly identify which elements of the machine are not included in the sale
    • Do not allow companies to create contract language (End User License Agreements) that modify or limit support options in the future
      • Most of the problems the Right to Repair movement wants to fix could be solved here
      • If this was more upfront to customers then they could make a better purchasing decision
  • Parts and Tools
    • Make service parts and tools available at non-discriminatory pricing to equipment owners and third parties.
  • Design
    • Integrate Design for Repair principles into eco-design product design practices.
    • DFR - Design for Recycle
    • Right to Repair VS Right to be Repaired
    • It's easy to say we should have a right to repair something but is it OK to force companies to make something repairable?
• NFTs
  • WUT?
  • Non Fungible Token