IncuNest Project
Each year, 1.5 million premature babies die due to lack of access to an incubator. In many developing countries, the high cost of commercial incubators—often reaching €35,000—makes them unaffordable, leaving newborns in cardboard boxes or wrapped in aluminum foil with a heater as their only chance of survival.
In response to this crisis, the association Medical Open World (Medicina Abierta al Mundo) has developed an innovative project: IncuNest, an open-source, low-cost incubator.
Economic Accessibility
IncuNest has been specifically designed by Medical Open World with a clear objective: to make life-saving technology economically accessible. With a material cost of only €350 per unit, it offers a reduction of more than 96% compared to conventional commercial models (which range from €30,000 to €50,000).
This cost efficiency enables rural hospitals and healthcare centers in resource-limited settings to acquire essential equipment for neonatal care.
Portable and Lightweight
Thanks to its compact design, IncuNest can be fully disassembled and transported in a 23 kg checked suitcase.
Weighing only 12.5 kg in total, it is easy to carry—ideal for medical missions, remote communities, or humanitarian emergency situations.
Energy Efficient
IncuNest requires only 130 W peak power, making it highly energy efficient. It operates on 220/110 V AC or 12 V DC, allowing it to be powered by car batteries or alternative energy sources—perfect for environments without reliable electricity.
Proven Reliability
With over 30,000 hours of global operation logged, IncuNest has proven to be a reliable and robust device. It has been validated in real clinical settings, including rural areas and hospitals with limited infrastructure, ensuring consistent performance.
TECHNICAL FEATURES
Precise Temperature Control
Automated regulation of both air and skin temperature
ensuring effective prevention of hypothermia and hyperthermia in premature newborns.
Humidity Control
Maintains optimal levels of relative humidity, essential for protecting the newborn’s delicate skin.
Smart Monitoring (IoT-enabled)
Internet connectivity allows for remote monitoring of vital parameters, device performance, and overall impact.
Automatic alerts are generated when critical thresholds are exceeded.
Integrated Phototherapy Module
Built-in light therapy to treat neonatal jaundice without the need for additional equipment.
Clinically Adapted Design
An 8% bed incline supports improved breathing and digestion.
Waterproof, anti-bedsore mattress enhances the newborn’s comfort.
Intuitive Display and Interface
2.8-inch color display with both visual and audible alarms in case of any irregularities.
Audible and visual alarms to signal any irregularities.
Real Impact
OPEN-SOURCE TECHNOLOGY
IncuNest is built on an open-source platform. We make all our blueprints and software publicly available, so that any individual or institution in need of an incubator can download the materials and build it locally.
We have made this technology accessible with a clear purpose: to empower communities to meet their own needs by building their own incubators. If they can manufacture them, they will also be able to repair or replicate them whenever necessary.
Through local production, we promote a decentralized and sustainable model that can adapt to any region of the world and foster innovation from within vulnerable communities themselves.
SOLIDARITY-BASED AND EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTION
Although our primary mission is healthcare, IncuNest also includes a strong educational and training component. Each unit is manufactured in Salesian training centers, where over 2,000 students develop technical skills while being formed in values of solidarity and social commitment. The incubators are built in 10 Salesian centers across Spain, engaging young people who not only gain technological expertise but also become part of a project with a profound human impact.
In addition, we organize talks and workshops in schools, universities, and innovation hubs to inspire technological and social vocations. In this way, IncuNest does more than save lives—it also shapes individuals and transforms communities.
REQUEST AN INCUBATOR
If you wish to request an incubator, it is essential that a specific need has first been identified at the destination. This step is crucial to ensure that each unit reaches where it can truly make a difference.
The request must be completed by the person responsible for the healthcare center or organization that will take charge of using and maintaining the incubator. Once we receive the form, we will provide all the necessary information to proceed with the next steps.
During the evaluation, we will assess the actual need for the equipment, the technical conditions at the receiving site, transport feasibility, any associated costs, the criteria for donation eligibility, estimated delivery timelines, and other relevant factors. All of this is aimed at ensuring an effective, responsible, and sustainable delivery.
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