About Us
Collaboration for Community Driven Development
ATC Today
The Appropriate Technology Collaborative works with local partners in Guatemala to put practical technology to work for families and communities.
Our current programs bring together solar lighting and clean water for homes, solar food dehydration, and equipment for rural midwives. We build on long-standing community relationships, with local knowledge guiding how these technologies are put into use.
Solar Lighting and Clean Water
Through Mayan Power and Light and our related programs, families receive solar home lighting systems and ceramic water filters. Traditional midwives help identify families who would benefit and teach the use and care of the filters.
Solar Food Dehydrators
ATC develops solar dehydrators with partners in Guatemala to help preserve harvests and create opportunities for local use and enterprise. Building on Phase 3 field testing, the Phase 4 dehydrator is now being used in classes at Eco Spanish School.
Tools for Rural Midwives
Our partnership with traditional midwives also includes an effort to expand access to fetal Dopplers for prenatal checks and referrals. The project page shares our purchase and delivery progress.
Local Partnerships Guide the Work
Rubén Mata, ATC’s Project Coordinator in Guatemala, coordinates installations, transportation, and follow-up with local partners. His work includes volunteer trips, solar home systems, and solar dehydrator installations.
The ACTOCHI Midwives Association connects ATC with families and supports education on water-filter use and care. Eco Spanish School brings solar dehydration into its classes. These relationships connect engineering and design with the people who use the technology.
University Projects Getting Started
Alongside our field programs, three early-stage university projects are beginning:
- University of Michigan: Solar Home Unit Localization
- University of California, Irvine: Solar Water Extractor
- University of Michigan: Battery State-of-Charge Tester
Explore the university projects →
Our current work builds on the mission, history, and collaborations described below.
Our Mission
We collaborate with local communities to design technologies and programs to alleviate poverty.
Our Vision
Grow self-sufficient economies using appropriate technologies that improve the quality of life.
Our Impact
Our History
Since 2008, ATC has worked with engineering professionals and university students to design appropriate solutions to common development challenges.
Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, our office is set in the midst of the tool library at Maker Works where we work with volunteer engineers to build and test new appropriate technologies.
Our Partners
ATC Startups
sustainable start-ups that serve the developing world. These start-ups are motivated
through its business to address a social problem or challenge, rather than profit maximization.
Economic Inclusion
Our organization creates local economic exchange, jobs, and aims to increase productivity and local quality of life with the future in mind.
Environmental Regeneration
The business protects or improves the environment, or leverages resource efficiency as part of its products or services.
Social Development
The business benefits local social development by incorporating cultural identity, empowerment, accessibility, awareness, or training etc.
Our Awards
