Autodesk Offers NPOs the Gift of Simulation

In an effort to help NPOs design custom solutions for third world problems, Autodesk has begun offering licenses of their software at reduced prices through their Technology Impact program.

The program, which offers up to two licenses at only $30 per month each, is targeted at American and Canadian NPOs that use design software to solve real world problems. The design suites offered by the program include:

·         Autodesk® Building Design Suite Premium

·         Autodesk® Product Design Suite Premium

·         Autodesk® Infrastructure Design Suite Premium

·         Autodesk® Entertainment Creation Suite Ultimate

One of the first organizations to take advantage of the Technology Impact program was D-Rev, which is responsible for creating the JaipurKnee, a high performance, low-cost knee prosthetic joint. The self-lubricating nylon joint has a life span of 3-5 years and employs bio-mimicry to anatomically represent the amputated joint. The JaipurKnee is currently used by over 3,000 people around the world, with ongoing field trials in India and Ecuador.

Another NPO to benefit from affordable access to Autodesk’s tools is the MASS Design Group. In 2011, MASS brought a public hospital to the Burera Disctrict in Rwanda, home to over 340,000 people. The design of the building limits airborne disease transmission through cross-ventilation, building layout, and the flow of patients and/or staff. The hospital is also made of local, sustainable materials such as volcanic rock. This not only makes it greener, it also helped to reduce its cost by $2 million dollars when compared to other hospitals in the area. It has also served the local economy by creating over 4,000 jobs and keeping the area’s workforce healthy.

Autodesk has also announced that KickStart International will be taking part in the program. KickStart is known for producing low-cost irrigation pumps. They design, construct and sell the pumps to rural farmers like Regina Sero Gitonga in Nakuru, Kenya. Since she received her pump a year ago, she has doubled her farming income while reducing her overall workload; a change which allows Regina to spend more time with her family and teaching in the local school.

Even just these three NPOs have already had a tremendous impact on the lives of those they seek to help. With the added help of Autodesk’s design suites, they will now have the tools to make an even bigger impact moving forward.

To take advantage of Autodesk’s program, click here and apply.