Open source hardware refers to computer and electronic hardware designed in the same manner as free and open source software. Open source hardware begins to consider open source in areas other than software, which is part of the open source culture. Among them, the birth of Arduino can be described as a new milestone in the history of open source hardware development.
Open source hardware extends open source software code, including software, circuit schematics, materials lists, design drawings, etc., all using open source license agreements, free to use and share, and fully licensed in an open source manner.
Extended information:
In the earliest days, hardware was open source. Including printers, computers, and even Apple computers, their entire design schematics are public. In the 1960s and 1970s, many companies chose closed source.
This situation, coupled with many trade barriers, technical barriers, patents and copyrights, etc., has resulted in lawsuits between different companies, similar to Samsung and Apple. This approach is beneficial to innovation to a certain extent, but it will hinder the development of small company innovators or individual innovations.
Baidu Encyclopedia-Open Source Hardware