Open Source Hardware
Marcin Jakubowski’s TED Talk and Beyond
Inspiring Change and the Vision for Open Source Hardware
Introduction
In the vast expanse of human innovation, there are moments that stand out as beacons of possibility, illuminating paths toward a brighter, more sustainable future.
Imagine a world where the tools to build a civilisation from scratch are not confined to the patents of a select few, but instead are freely accessible to all who dare to dream and do. This is world envisioned by Marcin Jakubowski, a modern-day pioneer on a mission to revolutionise how we think about hardware and it’s role in shaping our collective destiny. I had the pleasure of meeting Marcin in July of 2021 on my Hero’s Journey.
It was there on a humble farm nestled in the rolling hills of the countryside in the heart of rural Missouri that Marcin embarked on a journey that would eventually lead him to the TED stage. Frustrated by the limitations of conventional farming equipment and disheartened by the lack of the truly effective low-cost tools that he needed to build a sustainable life and settlement, he set out to create just that, with the creation of the Global Village Construction set (GVCS).
Overview of Marcin’s TED Talk
In his TED Talk entitled: Civilization starter kit, Marcin dared to ask the question: “What if we could democratise technology and empower individuals to build their own tools, machines and even entire civilisations?”
Standing before the audience at TEDxKC, Marcin shared his vision for a Civilisation Starter Kit — a collection of the 50 essential machines necessary to build a self-sustaining community form scratch. His talk wasn’t just about hardware; it was about freedom. Freedom from dependency on centralised systems, freedom from the shackles of consumerism and a scarcity mindset and the freedom to chart our own course towards a more sustainable future.
Through his TED Talk, Marcin challenged us to re-imagine the way we interact with technology and the world around us. He urged us to embrace the principles of open source hardware — transparency, collaboration and accessibility — as catalysts for change. Open source hardware, unlike open source software, is perhaps 1000x harder to do, but he reminds that the power to shape our future lies not in the hands of a select few corporations, but in the collective efforts of those who dare to dream and do.
Open Source Hardware Principles
Marcin’s TED Talk not only introduced the concept of the Civilisation Starter Kit, but also emphasised the fundamental principles underlying open source hardware.
These principles serve as a guiding light for a movement that seeks to democratise technology and empower individuals to become makers rather than mere consumers.
Imagine a world where the blueprints for cutting edge technology are not locked away in corporate vaults, but instead, are freely accessible to anyone with an internet connection and a desire to build and innovate. This is the essence of open source hardware — a philosophy rooted in transparency, collaboration and openly shared knowledge.
At the heart of open source hardware lies a simple yet revolutionary idea: that innovation flourishes when ideas are allowed to flow freely and when barriers to collaboration are removed. By opening up the design process and inviting others to contribute, we not only harness the collective wisdom of the crowd but also foster a culture of innovation that knows no bounds.
Examples of open Source Hardware Projects
Consider for example, the story of the Prusa i3 3D printer, a shining beacon of open source ingenuity. Born out of a collaboration between Josef Průša and the RepRap community, this 3D printer has become a staple in workshops and maker spaces around the world. Its success is not just a testament to its technical prowess but also to the power of open source collaboration to drive innovation forward.
Another inspiring project is the FarmBot project, a robotic farming system that enables individuals to grow their own food with minimal effort and resources, after of course, the initial outlay. By open-sourcing the design and software for the FarmBot, the creators have empowered and global community of farmers and gardeners to revolutionise the way we grow food. From planting and watering to weeding and harvesting, the FarmBot automates the tedious tasks of traditional farming, freeing up time and resources for other meaningful pursuits.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the success of the RepRap 3D printer the open source hardware revolution has not yet come to pass. While the open source hardware movement holds immense promise for democratising technology and fostering innovation, the world has not taken up open source hardware fully. Why? Because unlike software, hardware is hard to replicate.
Another challenge is the issue of funding and financial sustainability. Unlike traditional business models that rely on proprietary technology and intellectual property rights, open source hardware projects often operate on shoestring budgets relying on the goodwill of volunteers and donations to keep the light on. This lack of financial stability can hinder growth and development of projects, limiting their ability to make a meaningful impact.
Amidst the challenges there are also countless opportunities to be seized. One of the greatest strengths of the open source hardware movement is its ability to harness the collective wisdom and creativity of a global community. By tapping into the collective expertise of designers, engineers and enthusiasts from around the world, open source hardware projects have the potential to drive innovation forward at an unprecedented pace.
Through collaboration and by forging partnerships with like-minded organisations and individuals, projects can pool resources, share knowledge, doing away with re-inventing the wheel over and over, and amplifying their impact.
Conclusion
Through Marcin Jakubowski’s vision for open source hardware, one thing becomes abundantly clear: the potential for positive change is limitless when we dare to dream, collaborate and innovate together.
In true visionary fashion Marcin has again taken the lead to pioneer a business model that will finance the open source hardware revolution. By prototyping and bringing to production level the Seed Eco-Home, an open source house that provides affordable housing to the masses and also has the potential to be turned into a lucrative business enterprise.
The Seed Eco-Home is a 1300 sqft 2 storey, 3 bed room, eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and affordable open source house. It will cost in the region of $190K. By comparison the median home sales price in the United States is $417,700 as of the fourth quarter of 2023.
Read about the SEH 4 case study I wrote about in an article entitled The Revolution Will Not Be Financed
Taking inspiration from Marcin’s bold vision and embarking on our own journeys of innovation and discovery, whether we are tinkering in our workshops, collaborating with like-minded people or advocating for change in our communities, each of us has a role to play in shaping the future of open source hardware.
Remember that the power to create a better world lies not in the hands of select few, but in the collective efforts of all those who dare to dream and most importantly do. Together let’s continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible and build a future that is truly open, collaborative and sustainable for generations to come.
