Filipino Innovators Get Boost From Manila Arduino’s Unique Fabrication Lab

Bioreactor controlled via appPhoto byManila Arduino

MANILA — Hidden from plain sight in the Philippines' capital, a startup is trying to make a difference as the country's leading mobile research and design space.

The Manila Arduino Fabrication Laboratory (Manila Arduino) aims to empower Filipino inventors and makers by providing access to advanced prototyping tools and expert guidance.

Founded in 2023 in the Province of Laguna, Manila Arduino recognized the need for an innovation hub where local inventors could turn their ideas into real products. With a limited budget, they stocked the space with 3D printers and other prototyping machines.

"We wanted to create an accessible innovation hub for Filipinos to nurture their creativity," said Carl John Dal Calub, Manila Arduino's Founder, who also goes by Carl Lee. "Many highly creative minds lack the resources to prototype their concepts."

The lab soon relocated to the capital to expand services. Its unique "floating" model brings fabrication equipment and training directly to students, researchers, and communities across the Philippine archipelago.

"Our mobile approach removes geographical barriers," explained Calub. "We can fly our lab to any location, providing hands-on prototyping guidance."

In its first year, Manila Arduino assisted over 300 inventors in developing products ranging from medical devices and sustainable technology to disaster relief equipment. The fabrication lab's efforts are igniting a culture of innovation in the Philippines.

"Their team boasts a diverse range of talents and experts," said Francis Sanduco, a 21-year-old mechanical engineering student from the University of Santo Tomas. "This enables them to consistently deliver customized solutions."

Manila Arduino holds pop-up events, hands-on workshops and "open forge" nights where anyone can visit, receive training and use instruments under expert supervision.

It also provides online design consultations to extend services virtually. Manila Arduino plans to visit several fabrication facilities abroad in 2024, exploring innovations in the UK, Macau and Europe to study new techniques in fabrication.

"We'll bring back cutting-edge technologies to our Filipino inventors," Calub said. "Exposing them to new fabrication methods will drive further creativity."

The social impact startup is supported by partnerships with universities, companies and research groups focused on education and sustainable development. However, Manila Arduino's grassroots beginnings reflect its core mission.

"Our humble garage origins taught us to maximize limited resources creatively," Calub said. "That spirit of resourcefulness is what drives Filipino innovation despite constraints."

As demand increases, Manila Arduino plans to expand its fleet of mobile makerspaces. They aim to make it the Philippines' go-to facility for accelerating ideas from concept to minimum viable product.

Tech experts praise the lab's commitment to accessibility, allowing engineers, designers and hobbyists alike to access advanced tools often restricted to large corporations. By democratizing fabrication, Manila Arduino is helping level the playing field for Filipino innovators.