What We Do
What is ‘Frugal Engineering’?
The term “frugal engineering’ refers to the practice of designing and developing high-quality products or solutions with limited resources. It emphasizes simplicity, affordability, and adaptability, often using locally available materials and technologies to address pressing challenges in resource-constrained environments. This approach often involves reimagining traditional design principles and repurposing existing technologies to create innovative solutions.
“Frugal” does not mean sub-standard - it means creating solutions that respect the strengths and limitations of the people and the places they’re serving – including being relatively inexpensive to build, use and fix.
Our work is centred around 3 Pillars:
1. Technology and Co-Development
Design and prototype medical devices under conditions compliant with international quality and regulatory standards, ensuring solutions are both innovative and globally viable.
2. Equitable Partnerships
Build collaborative relationships that facilitate deployment and rigorous testing of devices in remote and low-resource communities where they're needed most.
3. Education and Training
Develop expertise in frugal design principles, open-source hardware development, and commercialization pathways for faculty, students, and local innovators.
