Transdisciplinary research project MoDeSt
The project MoDeSt investigates technical, social and economic requirements about modul concepts and develops a solution for sensible circular and socio-ecological IKT with powerful technology.
The Shiftphone can be disassembled, repaired and upgraded
According to the German Association for Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media (bitkom), at least 57 million people in Germany use smartphones. These contain a variety of valuable metals, but also contain raw materials. Most of their ecological footprint is caused by production. On average, they are only used for two years, because technical progress and individual usage demand change.
Modular smartphones offer the possibility to reflect technical developments through upgrades as well as respond to individual consumption needs. This enables longer usage cycles, which reduces the high production numbers and thus improves the environmental impact.
Requirement for the success of a modular smartphone is acceptance and interest of the users, but also specific usage skills such as knowledge of repair or upgrading possibilities.
"MoDeSt" stands for product circularity through modular design - strategies and durable smartphones. "Special about the three-year research project is, that in addition to the technical aspects, the economic and social requirements for the modular concept are also being investigated. The aim is to transfer the circular solution approaches of modular information and communication technologies into practice", describes our CSR manager Christoph Teusch.
Together with Fraunhofer IZM, TU Berlin, the CSM of Leuphana University and Shift GmbH, we at AfB are working on this promising sustainable project as part of a transdisciplinary project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
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