What it does
RDSB is a Bluetooth speaker designed to be easily disassembled, repaired and upgraded. It addresses the issue of systemic closure of electronic devices, offering a modular, transparent and accessible alternative even without official support.
Your inspiration
The inspiration came from personal frustration in trying to repair electronic devices designed to be closed and inaccessible. The project took shape during my research into sustainable design and the “Right to Repair” culture, which I explored in depth in my Master's thesis at Aalto University. Reusing components from a damaged UE Boom 3 was the starting point for critically reflecting on the role of designers in combating planned obsolescence and promoting alternative models based on openness, modularity and collaboration between users.
How it works
RDSB functions as a normal Bluetooth speaker, but is designed to be easily opened, repaired and upgraded by anyone. It is built from recovered components, such as the printed circuit board and audio structure of a damaged UE Boom 3, integrated with a compatible second-hand speaker. The body is divided into three main compartments: battery, electronics and audio, all individually accessible. The cables have been replaced with longer versions and standard terminals that are easily available in DIY stores. Standard screws avoid the use of glue or irreversible fasteners. The transparent PMMA parts and the 3D-printed side structure make the inner workings visible. The files for printing the casing are open-source, so anyone can recreate or improve it.
Design process
The RDSB design process began with a critical analysis of a damaged speaker (UE BOOM 3), from which the electronic board and audio system were recovered. The first prototype was created as a practical exercise during my Master's thesis, with the aim of making a complex object accessible and repairable. I divided the project into three main modules: battery, PCB board and audio system. After an initial phase of testing and technical adjustments (including replacing a damaged speaker with a compatible one found online), I designed a new shell made from laser-cut PMMA panels and a 3D-printed side structure. During prototyping, I improved internal accessibility: I lengthened the cables, used standard screws and chose common materials. Every decision was geared towards modularity and transparency, both visual and functional. The project is currently open source and can be replicated or modified by anyone, promoting a culture of shared maintenance.
How it is different
What makes RDSB different from other Bluetooth speakers is not only its shape or functionality, but the political and cultural message it embodies. Unlike closed products, designed for obsolescence and difficult to repair, RDSB is a modular, transparent and disassemblable object, designed to be repaired, updated and understood by anyone. The project was not conceived as a commercial product, but as a speculative tool to stimulate systemic change: it is open-source, replicable in educational or craft contexts, and aims to transform the consumer into an active protagonist in the object's life cycle. RDSB represents a concrete alternative to the proprietary model, demonstrating that a more ethical and accessible design is possible if we have the courage to change the rules of the game.
Future plans
In the coming time, I would like to continue with new teardowns of electronic devices to expand my repair skills and understand how to make any object more accessible and regenerable. At the same time, I would like to develop a small series of RDSBs in collaboration with maker spaces or design schools to test their replicability and gather feedback. My long-term goal is to contribute to the spread of a culture of repair, promoting alternative models of production and consumption based on openness, transparency and sustainability.
Awards
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