AFROBOTICS™: Designed in Africa, built in Detroit

AFROBOTICS™ is a partnership between African artists and designers, and Detroit makers and entrepreneurs. We are proud to present our first model, collaborating with a team in Namibia.  They were already motorizing traditional wire toys, and suggested art from the Namabian traditions of their heritage. One of the best-known stories is how the praying mantis steals fire from the ostrich. So we call this model “MantisBot.” It comes with a pamphlet on related STEM education lessons and activities. Now only for $50.

Handcrafted Baskets

New from Ethiopia: handcrafted Baskets from the village of Labazanga.

Ethiopian basket simulation: https://csdt.org/projects/51182/run

The sophisticated ideas in African design were invisible to European eyes of the colonial era. Today’s youth are using computing, math and digital fabrication to empower African heritage in the journey towards a just and sustainable future.

Adinkra T-Shirts

Adinkra are symbols from the West African nation of Ghana. Each symbol represents a traditional proverb or concept from traditional Ghanaian culture. Ghanaian students at Creativity Group in Kumasi created these radial algorithms with traditional symbols. Here you see UM students working with Dabls on adapting them for t-shirts. To learn more about Adinkra, or to create your own African design simulations, visit Culturally Situated Design Tools!

Adinkra Jewelry

The Adinkra jewelry are simulated on the screen, laser cut from locally harvested or scrap wood, and organically dyed with indigo or turmeric.

Coming Soon!