The landscape of healthcare is on the cusp of a profound transformation, driven by the collaborative spirit of open hardware. At the forefront of this revolution is the
Open Healthware Conference 2026
, set to ignite innovation and foster community in San Francisco this July.
Mark your calendars for July 9th and 10th
, as the second annual Open Healthware Conference opens its doors at the vibrant Gray Space. This pivotal two-day event promises an unparalleled exploration into the synergy between health and open hardware, bringing together visionary creators and industry leaders. Best of all? Thanks to the generous support of the National Science Foundation, attendance is entirely FREE. While there’s no cost, we highly encourage you to register to ensure you receive all vital updates and information for a seamless experience.
Pioneering Voices: Shaping the Future of Healthware
The conference boasts an impressive lineup of speakers, each pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in health technology. Prepare to be inspired by their insights and groundbreaking work:
Anthony Di Franco: Navigating Open Source Medical Supply Chains
Drawing from his extensive experience with the Open Insulin project, Anthony Di Franco will tackle the intricate challenges within supply chains for open-source medical technology. His talk will delve into both technical hurdles and policy considerations, offering concrete proposals to fortify and streamline these essential networks.
Yadir Sanchez: Community-Driven Air Quality Solutions
Yadir Sanchez introduces her compelling project, “El humo llega primero” – an open hardware PM2.5 air quality alarm. Built with an ESP32-C3 and a Sensirion SEN55 sensor, this innovation is deeply rooted in personal experience, inspired by generations of cooking in traditional “cocina de leña.” Sanchez will illuminate the power of building healthware from the ground up, prioritizing people and place to shape design and deployment.
Enrico Bassi: Hospital Makerspaces and Resilience
Enrico Bassi will explore the critical intersection of open hardware and hospital makerspaces. His presentation will highlight how these innovative hubs can facilitate the repair and adaptation of low-risk medical accessories, develop crucial training tools, and provide rapid local solutions. Discover how hospital makerspaces are becoming integral to broader preparedness strategies, enhancing resilience and accelerating feedback loops in healthcare.
Adriana Cabrera: Advancing Assistive Technologies
Adriana Cabrera will showcase her pioneering work in soft and bio technologies, creating adaptive, interactive, and customizable devices for rehabilitation and assistive care. Leveraging her expertise in digital fabrication, e-textiles, programmable materials, and soft robotics, Cabrera will present her integrated approach to wearable rehabilitation systems.
Silvestr Tkac: 3D Printing for Low-Resource Environments
Silvestr Tkac addresses the vital role of 3D printing in low-resource settings. His discussion will dissect key barriers, including non-editable file formats, reliance on hard-to-source components, unreliable power, inaccessible documentation, and unrealistic compliance expectations, offering pathways to overcome these obstacles.
Liz Henry & Olga Prilepova: Championing the Right to Repair Power Wheelchairs
Liz Henry and Olga Prilepova will shed light on the crucial “right to repair” movement, specifically focusing on power wheelchairs. They will expose how traditional models often restrict user ownership and modifications through data collection and manufacturer control, and how Open Assistive Tech is actively working to empower users and change this paradigm.
Groundbreaking Innovations on Display
Beyond the insightful talks, attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to explore a range of truly incredible exhibition tables, showcasing the tangible future of open healthware:
- Deaftronics Solar-Powered Hearing Aids: Witness the ingenuity of hearing aids designed by and for Deaf communities, developed in Southern Africa, harnessing solar power for accessibility.
- Braille Rap: Experience the Braille Rap, an open-source braille embosser poised to bridge the gap in accessible text creation.
- Criptastic Apitherapy Setup: Discover Criptastic’s innovative apitherapy system, utilizing honey bee venom for therapeutic health conditions.
This is merely a glimpse into the vast potential and collaborative spirit of the Open Healthware Conference 2026. Join us in San Francisco to immerse yourself in the world of open healthware, connect with pioneers, and explore the myriad ways individuals and communities are democratizing health and making it accessible across the globe.
For more details, visit our website.
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