From concepts to open products: The experience of a design hackathon for inclusive open-source products.

This paper explores the role of a Hackathon within the Open Cometa project, an initiative stemming from the rich experience of Cometa Lab. Originally conceived within educational settings, Open Cometa has evolved into a digital platform promoting open-source collaboration within the autism community. Through strategic partnerships with local FabLabs and other autism associations, the platform facilitates the exchange of resources and fosters information sharing. It enables the development of accessible solutions for autistic individuals. The transition towards an open-source approach addresses the increasing demand for customised products, addressing a significant market gap. The hackathon engaged 30 students from diverse backgrounds and played a role in refining and aligning projects with platform requirements. The event aimed to bridge the gap between education and professional practice through multidisciplinary collaboration, enhancing participants’ soft skills and technical competencies. The hackathon fosters innovation and inclusivity within the autism community by transforming student projects from concept to tangible, open products with real-world impact.