College of Engineering Honored Alumnus Kyle Wiens and a Right to Repair: A Visionary’s Perspective
Kyle Wiens (Computer Science, ’05) has been changing the way people think about the relationship between repair and sustainability for two decades.
In 2003, Wiens and Luke Soules (Industrial Engineering, ’06) posted a step-by-step repair guide for Weins’ broken laptop when they realized repair guides like it were hard to come by. When their guide brought a rush of views, they knew they were onto something and launched iFixit in their dorm room. Twenty years later, iFixit is a global leader in empowering people to repair their own devices, promoting sustainability and reducing electronic waste.
“I started by building the repair ecosystem,” Wiens said. “Then I realized we needed the manufacturer’s support, and they weren’t going to give it willingly, so I worked for 10 years on right- to-repair legislation.”
As a prominent advocate for the right to repair, Wiens has testified before legislative bodies and worked with various organizations to push for laws that require manufacturers to provide repair information and parts to consumers and independent repair shops. His efforts have not only changed consumer behavior but have also influenced policies and practices globally, making significant strides toward a more sustainable future.
Because of his Learn by Doing journey and his passion for meaningful change, Wiens was named the 2023 Cal Poly College of Engineering Honored Alumnus for his outstanding contributions to technology and sustainability.
“I want my kids to grow up in a world where we can have a connection with our things, where we know how things work and we have the ability to make them last,” Wiens said.