Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Summary
Open source hardware depends on proliferating technology through sharing the document-
ation and source files that are needed to build and modify the hardware itself. The open
source hardware community is continually trying to standardize documentation and effi-
cient sharing of work related to a piece of hardware so that others can use and modify the
work, and it encourages the development of a vibrant community of people who use and
improve on other open source hardware projects.
The rise of the Internet has allowed for rapid sourcing of tools for prototyping, design-
ing, and manufacturing, as well as the creation of centralized online knowledge hubs in
the form of wikis and forums. This allows for information exchange among people in re-
mote locations, rapid distribution of design files, and a place to get questions answered
fast. As more designs are shared that can be built and modified from anywhere in the
world, manufacturing chains are becoming more distributed in networks of innovation at
global levels. With the rise of open source hardware and digital fabrication and assembly
techniques, automation will inevitably increase, as well as more abundant large-scale local
manufacturing. In addition, many of the projects described in this chapter have physical
locations, their own community chapter, or a hackerspace where they work. These physic-
al spaces provide in-person collaborations and hands-on involvement with the hardware,
also furthering innovation with open source hardware.
