Bug Labs DIY gadgets to turn consumer electronics on its ear?

Last night we sat down for dinner with a company that, with the use of open source hardware, intends to invert the top down consumer electronics market as we know it -- a lofty goal, no doubt. But when Bug Labs (based in New York) introduces their modular gadget kits later this year, end users (read: tech enthusiasts) will be able buy interchangeable electronics components with a common interface capable of mixing, matching, and building custom devices (without having to lift a soldering iron). Sounds kind of out there, but here's the model:

• Users snag a small Linux-based micro-PC with USB, WiFi, Bluetooth, and plenty of special ports for attaching these functionality modules.
• Users can develop Java apps and load custom software onto the base device to take advantage of expansion modules for any usage scenarios they can dream up.
• Users expand each portable's capabilities by adding modules, such as a small or large screen, QWERTY keyboard, GPS, camera, speaker, etc.; the user can add whatever is necessary to build the gadget that fits their purpose. (Sorry, no cell radio modules at launch.)
• Each component is accessible and web addressable, meaning users can write and load software to / from their own or other users' components, as well as share their functionality or data (i.e. user A can use an app to remotely share his / her GPS locator or digital camera with user B).
• Of course, all these hardware component schematics, interface protocols, etc. will be made available online if you want to build your own Bug-based gear.
• Bug Labs might also allow users to submit novel and relatively marketable configurations for mass manufacturing, and serve as a storefront for budding gadget designers using the Bug platform.

Will a DIY open source hardware hacker's kit ever be enough to enable Joe Blow to develop the next RAZR or iPod? Probably not to start; effective portable electronics requires a very vertical design process, but if CE development is ever going to be democratized the way software development was over 30 years ago, then clear and open source components and systems is the kind of approach that could be capable of doing it.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 31st 2007 3:45PM]

This looks to be one of the sweetest things ever!!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 31st 2007 3:55PM]

It sounds REALLY exciting, but price and minimum specs are my main concern. If the base module includes too much you will inflate the price of anything based on it that doesn't utilize most of the base unit's features.

I already have a few ideas in mind for something like this, again, only if the price is right though.... and somehow I really doubt it will be.

Though using this as a prototyping platform and then offering the ability to mass produce your product could be a very interesting business model for creator and this company.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 31st 2007 4:21PM]

This project is similar to the Open I/O project we started at MIT in 2006.
http://burak-arikan.com/2006/openio

Open I/O is an opensource system (both hardware and software) for composing and running distributed electronic media in a way that enables people to exchange data over the Internet.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 31st 2007 4:31PM]

Will I be able to build a washing machine with this?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 31st 2007 4:49PM]

Yeah, to wash your brain

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 31st 2007 7:23PM]

This could be pretty cool.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 31st 2007 7:32PM]

Is this not what engadgets mascot "Gadgy" is capable of? these people just stole his idea and made it real!

[ryan Posted Jul 31st 2007 10:34PM]

Ha! I knew we were forward thinking.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 1st 2007 2:42AM]

Well, my interest is piqued. Price and size are my 2 foremost concerns with durability in there as well. I'm thinking the micro-PC will be around $150. And the size will hopefully be no bigger than a deck of cards. And how sturdy will the connection be between modules? I don't want them snapping off in my pocket.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 1st 2007 6:42AM]

Hi,

You should check out CrowdSpirit that working on projects for creating Open Source electronic products.

I am also building a list of Non-Software Open Source Goods (with things like Open Source Cola, Beer, Cars and more).

Guy

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 1st 2007 6:54AM]

Just to complete the previous comment:

http://www.crowdspirit.org/

and

http://www.opensourceguy.net/open-source-world/

Guy

[TheConstruct Posted Aug 8th 2007 6:09PM]

That actually sounds like an awesome idea.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 12th 2007 11:56AM]

Wow, this will be one hell of a challenge to pull off, and it might never replace cheap mass produced products for the general consumer, but the potential for this is huge.