Electronics & Open Source

Introduction to Open Source Electronics, Applications & Impact

 Agenda

• What is Open Source ?

• How Open Source is changing the world of product design & innovation.

• Impact on Business- Creative Disruption- will we see Open source shut some
traditional biz?

• What Opportunities Open source brings to Individuals, Designers, DIY’ers,

Entrepreneurs.

• How to get started?

Source : http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/all-our-patent-
are-belong-you
Open Source Software - OSS
 OSH Definition

Open Source Hardware (OSHW) Statement of Principles 1.0

Open source hardware is hardware whose design is made publicly available so that anyone can
study, modify, distribute, make, and sell the design or hardware based on that design. The
hardware’s source, the design from which it is made, is available in the preferred format for making
modifications to it. Ideally, open source hardware uses readily-available components and materials,
standard processes, open infrastructure, unrestricted content, and open-source design tools to
maximize the ability of individuals to make and use hardware. Open source hardware gives people
the freedom to control their technology while sharing knowledge and encouraging commerce
through the open exchange of designs.

Open Source Hardware (OSHW) Definition 1.0

The Open Source Hardware (OSHW) Definition 1.0 is based on the Open Source Definition for Open
Source Software. That definition was created by Bruce Perens and the Debian developers as the
Debian Free Software Guidelines.

Open Source Hardware (OSHW) is a term for tangible artifacts — machines, devices, or other
physical things — whose design has been released to the public in such a way that anyone can
make, modify, distribute, and use those things. This definition is intended to help provide
guidelines for the development and evaluation of licenses for Open Source Hardware.
 Other Definitions :
Edy Ferreira & Stoyan Tanev :

"There is no consensus on the definition of OSH.

•With Open Sparc, Sun Microsystems defines OSH from a development perspective as "a collaborative process around
developing new chips."

•Jeffrey Rowe defines OSH as "hardware for which all the design information is made available to the general public".
• Open Collector points out that in addition to design information, information on how to use the hardware, including
documentation about its interfaces and the tools used to create the design, must be freely available.

•Jamil Khatib of Open Cores suggests that: "All design files should be available for free. This includes schematic,
Hardware Description Language (HDL) code, and layout files. Software and firmware interfaces such as drivers,
compilers, instruction set, and registers interfaces should be available and open source. All information and
documentation, like application notes and interfacing information, should be also openly available".

•Gregory Pomerantz provides another OSH definition with more emphasis on license characteristics.
He points out that OSH licenses must:
i) grant permission to freely distribute the source code and any hardware device design based on it; and
ii) grant permission to create derivative works based on the source code and distribute them under the same license.
•Phillip Torrone explains that OSH must use a license that permits users to study, change, and improve the design, and
to redistribute it in modified or unmodified form."
 OSH :
• Linux - OSS

• Arduino/ Beaglebone/ Launchpad

• RepRap
• Chumby
• DIY Drones
• OSVehicle Tabby
• OpenDesk
• DaisyMP3
• OpenRoV
• OpenSource Ecology
More OSH..
More OSH..
 New ways of design…Impact .
• Build on Innovation – No reinventing
• Easy of Access
• Faster Innovation - Prototyping
• Reduced Costs
• Customized solution
• Enable Customer Say in design- Personalize
• Faster Problem Solving
• Power of Community – Increased intelligence
• Knowledge Sharing
• Increased Reach
• Focus on Value Add
• Greater talent pool

• Positive to Humanity – Community

 Impact on Biz
• New/Expanding Markets- Existing Markets
• New companies – Easy to adopt
• More companies will adopt Open Source Approach
• Patent Versus Open Source
• Faster expansion of markets
• Sharing of benefits
• Increased Customer confidence
• Social Effects
Opportunities & Business avenues
• Making products – open source – brand and sell
• Customized solutions
• New products using OSH solutions
• Consultancy
• Service Selling
• Education- Promotion

• New /Existing Markets

Ideas, Suggestions, More points, Future plans,
Ecosystem building, Next Meet Up ……….