Veterans Call For Right To Repair Military Equipment
The military's inability to repair is costing soldiers their lives. Now vets are pushing for a fix. Also: young UK engineer designs an electric kettle just about anyone can fix.
Big News
Happy Veteran’s Day! This is the day in the U.S. on which we honor the sacrifices of generations of soldiers who have served in the military and - often - gone to war to defend the U.S. and its allies. We celebrate veterans for their service by supporting those who have served their time, but also the men and women who are in uniform and on active duty: making sure they have the resources and support they need to do their jobs and stay safe.
Contents:
Big News -
Vets call for DOD to ensure a right to repair its equipment
Other News -
Take the compound bow, leave the Ducati: designing for repair
Young UK engineer designs an electric kettle anyone can fix
Why the EU's waste reduction measures are falling short
Google wins repair advocacy award
Aftermarket suppliers win DMCA exemption for access to telematics data
Believe it: Apple selling repair parts and tools for iPhone 16s
FTC overhauls merger application process for first time in 40 years
Designer uses Framework parts to design gaming device
Electronics wiz in Ireland hints at future of ag equipment repairThat’s why a group of U.S. veterans is launching a campaign supporting the Right to Repair military equipment, circulating a petition for former and active duty military personnel to sign calling for the inclusion of Section 828 in the pending National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). As noted by US PIRG, Section 828 of the NDAA, which was introduced by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, addresses widely documented obstacles to military equipment repair and maintenance by mandating that contractors provide the military access to tools, parts, and repair information.
In the not-distant past, maintaining and repairing equipment that troops relied on was an integral part of military training. But not longer. In recent years, reports about the U.S. military’s struggles to maintain and repair its equipment have been widespread. Fueling it are contractual agreements with equipment suppliers that gives them and their authorized repair providers the exclusive right to service equipment - including military gear deployed in battle.
Today, the consequences are felt throughout the military - including in crucial medical settings. Retired Master Sgt. Reid shared with PIRG how repair restrictions on CT machines endangered lives during his service in Afghanistan. Reid emphasized the importance of quick equipment repair, especially for life-saving CT scans in combat zones, but that his efforts to keep soldiers alive following injuries in battle were frequently frustrated by equipment repair issues at remote bases like Kwajalein, with manufacturers refusing to send help or allow training, while pushing him to simply replace malfunctioning equipment that the manufacturer considered “too old” to repair.
Another service member referred to only as “Peter” related similar stories and noted that manufacturers’ contracts forbid trained Army technicians from training other field technicians. Instead, everyone must attend the manufacturers’ (pricey) trainings. Peter said he wasn’t allowed to even share manuals with other technicians.
“It’s ridiculous,” said Peter, when describing the hoops they were forced to jump through. “Everyone who is deployed is training. We should give them everything they need.”
To address the obstacles to repair, Section 828 of the National Defense Authorization Act amends the U.S. federal code to require military contractors to “provide reasonable access to repair materials, and prohibits the head of an agency from entering into “a contract for the procurement of goods or services unless the contractor agrees in writing to provide the Department of Defense fair and reasonable access to all the repair materials, including parts, tools, and information, used by the manufacturer or provider or their authorized partners to diagnose, maintain, or repair the good or service.”
If you’re a current or former service member who wants to support the military Right to Repair, PIRG is urging you to check out the letter urging Congress to adopt Section 828 in the NDAA. You can use this link to check out the letter and add your name.
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Other News
Take the compound bow, leave the Ducati: Lessons on designing for repair
At the end of the day, designing for repairability isn’t hard. A lot of it comes down to sharing information with your customers on how the product you designed works, how to diagnose problems with it, and providing the tools and information needed to fix those problems. That was the norm for manufacturers for most of the 20th century when device longevity was a big selling point. Everything from home appliances to automobiles would ship with detailed service manuals and schematics, while a rich aftermarket of parts helped keep stuff working. But no longer: as this article by Jonathan Klein points out, even motorcycles like Ducatis -which have a long and proud history of owner repair - now ship with service manuals that mostly just tell owners looking to fix their bikes to “contact a service center.”
“So that owner's manual is essentially useless, as is trying to fix your Ducati yourself as there are wires, sensors, and ECU mapping connected to literally every single part on the bikes.” - Jonathan Klein
But Klein notes: that’s not every new product. A hunter, he was pleased to find that a new Elite Omni compound bow is just the opposite: packed with features that make it easy for owners to modify and repair their compound bow. That includes a detailed owners manual with instructions on how to fix and maintain the device.
While the short term gains of shutting off owner repair and maintenance might be attractive to companies, the longer view might be that making it easier to work on and use our stuff will turn one-time buyers into lifelong customers of an OEM, Klein writes.
Young UK engineer designs electric kettle anyone can fix
Gabriel Kay, a 22-year-old student at De Montfort University, created “Osiris,” a repairable kettle designed to reduce electronic waste. Osiris - named after tthe Egyptian god of rebirth, has removable parts, allowing users to fix it with a screwdriver, encouraging a longer lifespan and reducing waste. Kay chose a kettle to design because it’s relatable and easy for people to understand. Osiris’s internal components are safely separated to avoid injury, making repairs accessible to everyone. Osiris is featured by Green Grads, an organization promoting eco-conscious designs, alongside other sustainable products.
Kay is a strong supporter of the right to repair and says that his Osiris kettle challenges the throwaway culture, promoting a future with longer-lasting, repairable products.
The EU’s waste reduction measures are falling short
As the European Parliament gets ready to appoint its first ever Circular Economy Commissioner, a leading pro-repair group on the continent, Repair Europe, is calling for a shift in focus from recycling to repair and re-use. In a statement, Cristina Ganapini, the Coordinator of the Right to Repair Europe coalition, noted that the EU’s Circular Material Use Rate has only modestly increased in recent years, underscoring the need for more effective strategies. Addressing Jessika Roswall, who is set to become the EU’s first Circular Economy Commissioner, Ganapini called out the limitations of current EU policies to promote a circular economy. Those include strict limits on which product categories fall under repairability requirements, as well as legal barriers and vague affordability provisions that hinder independent repairers, limiting the impact of repair-friendly policies. Shifting from recycling toward extending product lifespan through reuse and repair to conserve resources and minimize waste would help, Ganapini wrote.
Google wins Repair Advocacy Award
The Repair Association (Repair.org) has awarded Google for advancing Right to Repair legislation and consumer empowerment in 2024. In what amounted to the best year to date for the right to repair, Google’s advocacy, including testimonies and strategy with Repair.org, was key to legislative wins, the Repair Association said in a statement. Google has opposed right to repair initiatives in the past, but has revised its position in recent years. The company outlined its commitment to repair-friendly designs and consumer rights in a January publication. Even more important: the company sent corporate leaders to testify on behalf of right to repair bills in states like Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Colorado. Its input was critical in helping to reframe the debate around part serialization (or “parts pairing”).
“Google’s advocacy for Right to Repair has played a critical role in advancing consumer rights across the country,” said the Repair Association’s Gay Gordon-Byrne in a statement. “Their support for state legislation like Oregon’s and Colorado’s new law shows a commitment to a future where people can fix their devices without unnecessary hurdles. This award recognizes their efforts to help level the playing field and push back against repair restrictions.”
This post will be open to all starting Wednesday at 08:00 EST (GMT -4). You can subscribe now to get instant access to premium content. Aftermarket suppliers win DMCA exemption to access car telematics data
The Copyright Office’s exemption to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) for McDonald’s McFlurry machines generated a lot of news coverage. Overlooked was another Copyright Office ruling with a much bigger impact: an exemption granted at the request of MEMA, an industry association for vehicle aftermarket suppliers, that will allow consumers and third-party repairers to access and share vehicle telematics and operational data.
In a decision issued last month, The Copyright Office agreed that access to complex vehicle data is essential to manage rising repair costs and challenges for skilled repairers. Access to telematics data is necessary to diagnose- and fix problems with vehicles, thereby improving safety, lowering costs, and reducing downtime for consumers, The Copyright Office said. The exemption allows data access in a secure way, addressing cybersecurity concerns. The exemption will remain in place until October 2027.
Apple is selling repair parts for iPhone 16s
Apple’s about-face on device repair continues, with The Verge reporting this week that the Cupertino-based company is now offering repair parts for iPhone 16 and 16 Pro via its self-service repair store. Parts including cameras, displays, and back glass, as well as replacement camera assemblies are for sale. Apple is also renting repair kits for $49 for those without tools. Apple has said it plans to expand support for affordable third-party components, like batteries and displays, this year.
FTC overhauls Merger Review Process for first time since the 70s
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has unanimously voted to issue a final rule amending the rules that companies seeking a merger must follow. The FTC revised what’s known as the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) form- the first major update in over 46 years, law.com reported. Under the new rules, merging entities must now disclose extensive information, including business overlaps, future competition, investors, and prior acquisitions. The new rule will take effect 90 days after its publication, likely early 2025. Many are targeted at stemming market consolidation. For example, the new rule requires detailed competition descriptions, supply relationships, and transaction rationales. Companies must disclose prior acquisitions in related business areas from the past five years, addressing concerns over market consolidation.
Engineer uses Framework hardware to build custom gaming device
Framework laptops have gotten a lot of attention for their superior repairability, but a new project shows that the company best known for its laptops is fueling other innovations, as well - especially when combined with the fast evolving 3D printing space.
Designer Beth Le, who is active on Printables, a platform for sharing 3D printing designs, has introduced the Beth Deck, a 3D printed gaming handheld that repurposes Framework’s 13-inch laptop mainboards. According to Le, the handheld can be assembled in 15 minutes with no soldering, using only 10 3D-printed parts and a $150 parts list (excluding the cost of the mainboard.) The device supports Intel, AMD, and RISC-V mainboards, allowing users to upgrade and customize the handheld over time.
“Surprisingly Straightforward” Framework’s Founder On Designing the Revolutionary Repairable Laptop
This is just the latest example of 3D printing being used to facilitate repair and re-use. Designer Ken Pillonel designed open-source USB-C cases for AirPods that promote repairability and reduce e-waste, using SLS 3D printing tech for precise builds.
Irish electronics wiz hints at the future of Ag repair
What does the future of repair for agricultural equipment look like? Well, it might look a lot like the local cell phone repair shop, according to this article in the Irish publication Farmers Journal.
The article profiles Steve Sherwood, the owner of Sherwood's Tech Repair in Mullinger, County Westmeath in Ireland. Sherwood is described as a self-taught repair technician with a lifelong passion for electronics who has devoted himself to helping farmers fix issues with the electronics that run their high tech ag equipment. Common issues include dead dashboards, faulty joysticks, and moisture damage across various machinery brands. Sherwood’s approach to repair involves reverse-engineering circuits and using custom testing methods. The work requires patience, persistence, and experience- especially given manufacturers severe restrictions on access to parts and manuals. He plans to start ECU repairs in 2025 using a custom engine simulator to improve testing confidence. Aspiring mechanics should start with DIY projects to build curiosity and skills, he said.