The concept ofopen source is well-established in the software
worldbut there are signs that the approach
may have applications in the hardware sector.
Open source hardware works by developing and sharing details of
circuit boards, right up to the idea of giving away devices to
users for nothing.
The champion of "free" is author Chris Anderson who has
published a book predicting that hardware is the next natural
extension of the open source movement.
"You're likely familiar with the concept of open source
software, but the new idea of extending that to hardware - from
circuit boards all the way up to consumer electronic gadgets like
Google's Android phone - is just now emerging," he writes in
Free, the future of a
radical price.
"The way most open source hardware companies work is this: All
the plans, printed circuit board files, software, and instructions
are free and available to all. If you want to build your own (or,
even better, improve on a design), you're encouraged to do so. But
if you don't want the hassle or risk of doing it yourself, you can
buy a pre-made version that's guaranteed to work," he writes.
Some of the companies which have started in this space are
making their money through licence and certification fees charged
to the resellers that make and sell the boards.
More on open source:
A version of this story originally appeared onMicroScope.