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Man Creates Open Source Flashlight

Posted by samzenpus on from the things-we-don't-need dept.

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?"

8 of 172 comments (clear)

  1. Why would I what a reprogrammable flashlight? by Missing.Matter · · Score: 4, Funny

    Well one that looks like this, I can think of a couple uses for it...

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

      I'd want one with a wireless beacon so I can find it if I lose it. I've lost half a dozen maglites throughout the years.

      --
      Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
    2. 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.

    3. Re:Why would I what a reprogrammable flashlight? by vlm · · Score: 3, Funny

      I meant using it as the hilt for a sword.

      Great, just what we needed, a new euphemism for that activity.

      --
      "Science flies us to the moon. Religion flies us into buildings." - Victor Stenger
    4. 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".

      --
      Circumcision is child abuse.
    5. 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

  2. Re:Well by QuasiSteve · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Program it to do whatever you want?

    give it a strobe function, a slow fade in function, an SOS function, set the levels of lighting the way you want them and not the manufacturer default of "off / barely bright enough to find my way around the house at night / ARGH MY EYES", etc.

    Add further capabilities with RGB version down the line.

    Also, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the data pins on the microcontroller go unused and if he's smart-ish, he'll break those out for you so you can hook up sensors.

    Alternatively, perhaps you can work through the existing USB interface, though that requires more work on your part.

  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