Automated Insulin Delivery: Why I Choose Open-Source Over Commercial Algorithms

Gigi cruising St Pete

In my last post, I shared how technology transformed my life with Type 1 diabetes after decades of struggle. That transformation didn’t come from just any device. It came from Loop—an open-source automated insulin delivery (AID) system. After living with Type 1 for more than 50 years I believe Loop stands apart from every other AID system on the market today. Here’s why.

1. Loop Gives Me Control

Commercial AID systems often feel like a one-size-fits-all product. They’re designed for the “average” patient, with limited flexibility and preset algorithms. Loop is different. It puts control in the hands of the person living with diabetes. I can tailor insulin delivery to my body, my lifestyle, and my patterns. Whether it’s adjusting carb absorption times, fine-tuning basal rates, or experimenting with settings that fit my real life, Loop doesn’t force me into a rigid system—it adapts to me.

2. Transparency and Trust

One of the biggest frustrations with commercial systems is the “black box” problem. They make decisions, but you don’t always know how or why. Loop is fully transparent. The algorithm is open-source, meaning I can see how it works and understand the reasoning behind every adjustment it makes. For me, this transparency builds trust. I’m not blindly handing over control to a machine—I’m partnering with a tool I understand.

3. Innovation Moves Faster

Commercial AID systems must pass through lengthy approval processes, which means innovation often lags years behind what’s possible. Loop, driven by a global community of developers and users, moves at the pace of need. Features like customizable overrides, advanced carb absorption models, and integrations with multiple pumps and CGMs appeared in Loop long before similar concepts made their way into commercial systems. The community-driven model means Loop evolves rapidly—and always with people and parents of children with Type 1 Diabetes being the only voices in the room.

4. A Truly Personalized Experience

Living with Type 1 diabetes is not just about glucose levels—it’s about living life. Loop gives me the flexibility to handle the unexpected: pizza nights, exercise, stress, travel. Instead of wrestling with rigid guardrails, I can design a system that bends with me. Commercial systems often restrict food entries, carb timing, or correction doses. Loop respects my expertise in managing my own diabetes and allows me to make nuanced decisions the system can follow.

5. Community and Support

Choosing Loop doesn’t mean going it alone. The #WeAreNotWaiting movement and communities like Loop and Learn, The Looped Group, and others provide unmatched peer support. Users help each other troubleshoot, learn, and succeed in ways no commercial company can match. This community expertise is invaluable—not just for technical guidance, but for the lived experience of people who truly understand what it’s like to depend on the system day in and day out.

6. Safety and Outcomes

The ultimate test of any AID system is whether it works. My own results—and the results of thousands of others using Loop—prove its effectiveness. My A1c dropped, my time in range improved, and most importantly, my hypoglycemia unawareness was finally managed. Independent research now confirms what Loop users have known for years: Loop is safe, effective, and life-changing.

Final Thoughts

Loop isn’t just another AID system—it’s a philosophy. It’s about patients reclaiming agency, demanding better tools, and proving that lived experience can drive innovation. Commercial systems have their place, but for me—and for many others—Loop offers the freedom, transparency, and personalization that no other system can match.

Loop is more than technology. It’s empowerment. And after decades of living with Type 1 diabetes, I can say with confidence: Loop is the best choice I ever made.