The significance of innovation as a field of research and teaching has become particularly evident in the COVID-19 pandemic. Aided by digital platforms, thousands of individual makers are currently collaborating in self-organized, distributed innovation processes. As an example, one of their joint goals has been and is developing protective personal equipment and medical supplies to address supply chain shortages.

Many other innovation opportunities emerged due to the forced change of lifestyle such as social distancing and working remotely from home. These maker initiatives include open source projects, hackathons, 3D printing challenges and various innovation co-opetitions that have led to the successful development of medical equipment, e.g. new forms of respirators, noninvasive ventilation helmets, aerosol boxes, as well as novel testing and laboratory equipment. The change of lifestyle also resulted in new forms of user generated content and household sector innovations related to online learning and various forms of DIY activities.

Media covering these developments:

D.I.Y. Coronavirus Solutions Are Gaining Steam , NYT, March 31, 2020

Hive Mind of Makers Rises to meet Pandemic , NYT, March 30, 2020