{"id":1164921,"date":"2023-07-26T09:00:08","date_gmt":"2023-07-26T13:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/?p=1164921"},"modified":"2023-07-26T09:00:08","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T13:00:08","slug":"the-man-behind-the-usb-c-iphone-rebuilt-the-airpods-pro-case-to-make-it-repairable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/?p=1164921","title":{"rendered":"The man behind the USB-C iPhone rebuilt the AirPods Pro case to make it repairable"},"content":{"rendered":"

Robotics engineer Ken Pillonel, known for creating a makeshift USB-C iPhone<\/a> and AirPods<\/a>, has revealed his next project. The modding wunderkind has deconstructed Apple\u2019s AirPods Pro<\/a> case and built a custom repairable version. Pillonel is sharing the design for free, allowing enterprising self-repair enthusiasts with a knack for engineering to make their own.<\/p>\n

Pillonel has already tackled the AirPods Pro with a custom replaceable printed circuit board (PCB)<\/a>. However, his new project attempts to dissect the earbuds\u2019 entire case, offering a complete blueprint for others to do the same \u2014 with 3D-printed sections and a few (cheap) afterparty parts. \u201cMost gadgets are designed without repairability in mind, unlike the durable technology of the past that seemed built to last,\u201d Pillonel wrote, noting that iFixit<\/em> gave the second-gen AirPods Pro a dismal zero repairability score<\/a>. \u201cIt is troubling to see design choices like non-replaceable batteries, glued-in components, and a lack of transparency in public information leading to the rise of \u2018fast electronics.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

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In response, the engineer took on this latest project \u201cto demonstrate how one of the most popular gadgets today \u2014 Apple\u2019s AirPods Pro \u2014 could have been easily made repairable with minimal effort.\u201d His stated goal is to inspire consumers and multi-billion-dollar corporations (ahem, Apple)<\/em> to treat technology less like a locked-down disposable commodity and more like something one can tinker with, learn from and \u2014 with the right skills \u2014 repair themselves. Of course, a central component is using screws and nuts instead of adhesives to create a makeshift case you can crack open and fix down the road.<\/p>\n

\"Engineer
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Ken Pillonel \/ Exploring the Simulation<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Pillonel says this was one of his most challenging custom projects yet, as he had to create precise scans of the case\u2019s every component. As he explains in the video below from his YouTube channel<\/a>, some of the case\u2019s parts proved especially difficult with complex curves that a simple caliper and basic 2D scans couldn\u2019t quite nail down. He even detailed his quest for finding the right spring-loaded contact pins to charge the buds and an affordable 3D scanner to capture some of the more oddly shaped parts. I recommend a quick watch to anyone curious about sustainability and the nuts and bolts behind iconic consumer tech gadgets. (Remember that such tinkering will void your warranty, and you should probably only give it a shot if you\u2019re experienced with electronics repairs.)<\/p>\n

\u201cI am thrilled to make these repairable designs available to the public at no cost, encouraging individuals and manufacturers alike to prioritize repairability in their product development,\u201d Pillonel wrote today. \u201cTogether, we can work towards a circular economy that not only minimizes electronic waste but also fosters a culture of conscious consumption and responsible tech innovation.\u201d You can peruse Pillonel\u2019s designs and storefront for replacement parts on his website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https:\/\/www.engadget.com\/the-man-behind-the-usb-c-iphone-rebuilt-the-airpods-pro-case-to-make-it-repairable-130008565.html?src=rss
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\nSource: Engadget – The man behind the USB-C iPhone rebuilt the AirPods Pro case to make it repairable<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Robotics engineer Ken Pillonel, known for creating a makeshift USB-C iPhone and AirPods, has revealed his next project. The modding wunderkind has deconstructed Apple\u2019s AirPods Pro case and built a custom repairable version. Pillonel is sharing the design for free, … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[99,110],"tags":[98],"class_list":["post-1164921","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-engadget","category-unfiltered-rss","tag-engadget"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1164921","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1164921"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1164921\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1164921"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1164921"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.prime-wow.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1164921"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}