Open Hardware Movement Democratizes Innovation
Shared designs enable anyone to build and modify technology.
Open hardware movement is gaining momentum as designers share product blueprints freely. Like open source software, open hardware allows anyone to build, modify, and sell products based on shared designs.
The approach democratizes innovation by eliminating patent barriers. Inventors build on each other's work rather than duplicating effort or navigating licensing.
Products range from scientific equipment to assistive devices to farming tools. Open designs enable customization for specific needs and local manufacturing.
Documentation and design files empower users to repair and modify products. This contrasts sharply with proprietary products designed to resist user intervention.
Communities form around popular designs, collectively improving them. Distributed development produces innovations no single entity could achieve alone.
