GE Ventures Into Crowd-Sourced Manufacturing

GE (General Electric) has formed a partnership with a US-based open-source hardware innovator called Local Motors, to launch a new model for manufacturing.

The two will combine co-creation with micromanufacturing to build and commercialise the next generation of various GE products, focusing initially on kitchen appliances. They will use advanced manufacturing processes and an open innovation approach to engineering with the aim of reducing time-to-market.

The partners will source collaborative ideas from an online community of engineers, scientists, fabricators, designers and enthusiasts, who will focus on identifying market needs and solving engineering challenges, with the aim of delivering breakthrough product innovations. As part of the partnership, a new microfactory – a facility that focuses on prototyping and producing small batches of products quickly – will be established where ideas from the community will be built, tested and sold.

“At GE over the past years, we’ve redefined our approach to innovation, focusing on R&D as well as co-creation, open collaboration and partnership, which has allowed us to engage new audiences and develop a following across various industry sectors,” says Steve Liguori, GE’s executive director of global innovation. [...]