Lifetime Design

Overview

Planned obsolescence is a norm in modern economies, but it's extremely wasteful. Replacing material objects because they break requires human energy, and is one of the main reasons that the Myth of Technology runs our lives.

By introducing lifetime design - we gain at least 10x in resource efficiency - and we believe that will be the natural evolution of human economic systems once the ranks of production swell with enlightened economic actors who follow principles of lifetime design.

Lifetime design requires:

1. Open source design - so that technology is transparent and can be fixed. Bills of materials, CAD files, build instructions must be available.
2. Design-for-Disassembly
3. Modular Design
4. Design-for-Repair
5. Use of COTS parts
6. Local service infrastructure, such as Open Source Microfactories.

Warranty Examples

• Briggs and Riley - [1] - lifetime replacement or repair. No proof of purchase needed, no questions asked.
• Roomba - [2]
• Free sharpening - [3]
• Knives - for life, even if you are not the first owner - fix or replace - [4]

Articles

• Entrepreneur magazine article - [5]. In 2005, our team hesitated before offering an unconditional lifetime guarantee; we were initially concerned that people might try to take advantage of the offer. However, we quickly saw that a request for repair or replacement was also a golden opportunity to re-engage and impress our customers. In time, our guarantee became our most valuable word-of-mouth marketing tool.

Websites

Companies and websites that sell lifetime design products:

Lifetime Design Websites

Lifetimes of Materials

• This site claims 20 yr RPE life even in full sun - [6]
• Butyl tape - 10 years [7]
• EPDM roofing - 12 years per 45 mil [8]

Links

• Lifetime design is one of the key OSE Specifications. See more at OSE Specifications#Lifetime Design
• Consumer warranty basics - [9]