Getting Open about Hardware : Getting Open about Hardware : Making more; Sharing More Making more; Sharing More

Brian DeggerBrian Degger

brian@transitlab.orgbrian@transitlab.org

Outline

thoughts on how can open source hardware and community electronics help arts organisations thrive, better support their artists, and engage communities.

What hardware projects are there that enable people to become makers?

In what collaborative projects is this used?

Ongoing work building tools and works, and how this can be applied here.

Differences between Open Source Hardware and Software:

open source hardware is different to software in the fundamental that there are atoms, not bits

Not a problem Really

relies on cheap/ free sample electronic components

online resources

fabrication at the office, or online

Open Source Hardware(OSH)

Relies on a lead user/innovator, and a community of users that have contact with the lead user and can innovate on the platform

Eschews patenting

Generates goodwill and interest

Can sometime leverage a large community who are invested in the products

Movements that are using open methodologies to benefit local

communitiesHacklabs

Fablabs

Bricolabs

Hacklabs

A hacklab, or media hacklab, is an autonomous technology zone used for the promotion, use and development of emancipatory technologies such as free software and alternative media.

(via wikipedia)

Hacklabs abound

Access Space : Sheffield

Electron Club : CCA

Dorkbot Alba : Glasgow

NYResister : NY

Noise Bridge : LA

In planning for Liverpool and Manchester

Fablabs

A Fab Lab (fabrication laboratory) is a small-scale workshop with an array of computer controlled tools with the aim to make "almost anything". This includes technology-enabled products generally perceived as limited to mass production.(via Wikipedia)

Fablabs

FABLab.nl five FABlabs in the Netherlands

none so far in UK

an opportunity perhaps?

bricolabs

http://www.bricolabs.net/

A distributed network for global and local development of generic infrastructures incrementally developed by communities.

publishing HOWTOS and importantly WHYTOs

Platforms for digital creativity

simpler devices / don't need to be an electronics engineer to get something to move react etc

Arduino

coming out of an Interaction / Industrial design school in Italy

10 or so user innovated variants (autopilots, wearables, different form factors) sharing a common programming interface

Community forum of several thousand

Enterprises being seeded by those with expertise with Arduino

Strengths are low cost, gentle learning curve

Oomlout.com (Leeds)

SerB the arduino + servo based robot

Released an easier to use arduino kit

ss

Image: Page 8 of Oomlout ARDX experimenters guide

Adafruit

Glowbikes 2007 Brian Degger

SpokePOV

Todbot(US)

Computer controlled RGB LED

Use in light effects

Image: Sketching 08 pg 18 Tod E Kurt

rapid prototyping/fabrication

Open Source Projects

faba home

reprap

Open Websites

shapeways

ponoko

Open Patterns

thingyverse

Examples

Andy Huntington taking sound art works to market

Prototype ->Art work -> Musical Toy

Graffiti Research Lab and LED throwies

Any space for an art unconference?

Medialab Prado – Interactivos

learning labs masterclasses BioFI/Singapore, making data tangible

Datarama/Newcastle – a show and tell for the geeky electronic artist

RadioCraftlab ISISArts- all aspects of radio and transmission

Still/Open, Perth

LightResponsiveDeviceLightResponsiveDevice

• build it and you will learn....more than you thought possiblebuild it and you will learn....more than you thought possible

• LRD is my first interactive pieceLRD is my first interactive piece

• arduino+LDR+servo+LED (and a bit of wirearduino+LDR+servo+LED (and a bit of wire

• idea of simple interactionidea of simple interaction

– interaction is not simpleinteraction is not simple

Finding a place to workFinding a place to work

development has beendevelopment has been

– on the dining room tableon the dining room table

– at ISISArts for a mini-residencyat ISISArts for a mini-residency

Tools and materials

• basic electronics, hobby drill• hot glue, ping pong balls, wire, RGB LEDs,

polymorph, heat shrink

Further development Further development (getting from day 1-50)(getting from day 1-50)

• idiosyncracies of the creatures, still learningidiosyncracies of the creatures, still learning

• moving beyond a simple behaviour.moving beyond a simple behaviour.

• use ideas gleaned from twitchie to make a circuit boarduse ideas gleaned from twitchie to make a circuit board

• an un tethered versionan un tethered version

• circuit board // miniproductioncircuit board // miniproduction

• sensors??? place differentlysensors??? place differently

• make 30make 30

Showing/Get it seen/User InteractionShowing/Get it seen/User Interaction

– at any tableat any table

– at Connecting Principleat Connecting Principle

– at Glasgow DCA (introducing my objects to ... project1891at Glasgow DCA (introducing my objects to ... project1891

– at Polytechnic Event datarama 0.3at Polytechnic Event datarama 0.3

– at Maker Faireat Maker Faire

Web industries strategies

hackdays

code sprints

supported well by sponsorship,

what about the arts?

Can the governments Digital Strategy be more than about inclusion but support new grassroots digital communities?

Opportunites

FLOSS workshops vs traditional masterclasses around 'industry' software(adobe) hardware(basic stamps)

lower costs going out of the organsiation, higher percentage to the practitioners, potential for busaries, community generation etc

Spaces for communities of competancy?

cargo cults are goodcargo cults are good

keep learning

• learning is fun • doing it with others is great• peer supported learning rocks • workshops (like here at takeaway) are great

ways of dipping the toes• gleaning ideas from other makers

ThanksThanks

art of the digitalart of the digital

ISISArts NewcastleISISArts Newcastle

Oli @coldclimate Oli @coldclimate

Contact

Brian@transitlab.org

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