Slashdot Mirror


Man Creates Open Source Flashlight

DeviceGuru writes "Not content with revealing the source code to his mom's banana bread, two-time BattleBots champion Christian Carlberg has developed an open source flashlight. Carlberg first achieved notoriety shredding competitors' robots with Minion's 14-inch saw blade on BattleBots. Now he's all fired up to begin shipping what they say could be the 'world's first open source flashlight.' But why in the world would you want a reprogrammable flashlight?"

4 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Why would I what a reprogrammable flashlight? by QuasiSteve · · Score: 4, Informative

    Huh, when I read the headline I assumed the CAD files for the housing, electronics, etc would all be available.

    From one of Christian's comments:

    We are thinking about releasing the drawing for the body ("open source") so folks like you can design whatever accessories you want for it.

    Also, in response to the following question:

    Is it just the source code that is open source, or is the PCB/Schematic also open source?

    He answered:

    We think we are going to lead a paradigm shift in the flashlight world and open it all up.

    So, yes, it does appear that he's planning on making it 100% open source.

  2. Re:Why would I what a reprogrammable flashlight? by Stormwatch · · Score: 4, Informative

    Not a new euphemism at all. Mind you, "vagina" is the Latin word for "scabbard".

  3. All unused pins will be accessible by thcooke77 · · Score: 3, Informative

    All of the unused pins will be accessible in some manner! The design of the Hexbright Flex will be 100% hackable! Terry Cooke Electrical and Mechanical Engineer @Hexbright

  4. Re:Why would I what a reprogrammable flashlight? by thcooke77 · · Score: 5, Informative

    We have decided to make the light 100% open source. Mechanical, Electrical, and Software will all be released. Terry Cooke @Hexbright