ThoughtsOnOpenSourceHardware
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Thoughts On Open Source Hardware
Most open source hardware projects today are reworks of solutions to old problems
Arduino Auto-Pilot
- auto-pilot systems have been around for decades
- patents governing the system-level have long-since expired
- commercial MCUs used encapsulate any new processor-related IP.
- commercial sensors (MEMS accelerometers and gyroscopes) encapsulate any new position and orientation related IP.
- board designs are protectable IP, but they're so easily reverse engineered and copied that protection is a waste of time and money.
- The firmware is simple software IP.
MakerBot and RepRap
- The first additive rapid prototyping machines started appearing in the late 1980s
- patents governing these implementations will have expired by now.
- Subtractive CNC machines have been around much longer.
- Printer technology has been around longer than RP
- Reverse-engineering of ink cartridges to provide 2nd-source established.
- Strength is in breadth of coverage
- different feed-stock
- different implementations
- design enhancements
- distributed workshop
