39C3 Encourages Innovation in Hardware Development

39C3: An Invitation to Innovate

The 39th Annual Chaos Communication Congress (39C3) has commenced, featuring discussions that resonate strongly with technology enthusiasts. Kliment passionately invited everyone to start developing hardware, drawing on his extensive industry experience and the numerous workshops organized for hackers, where he has trained thousands of participants over the years.

His key points emphasize that the old saying "hardware is hard" is now outdated. Sure, developing a sophisticated medical device is not a child's play, but that is not where one should begin. Small-scale hardware design and manufacturing have never been more accessible, and open-source tools provide an opportunity to enter this field. He recounts a participant from a workshop who remarked, "I was expecting the hard part to come, but then we finished." Starting with small projects, learning a few techniques, and building skills on that foundation is the way forward.

This speech is aimed at those curious about hardware, promising more experimentation, more prototypes, and simply more people engaged in the DIY (do-it-yourself) and electronics scene. While it might feel like preaching to the choir here at Hackaday, it is sometimes comforting to hear these things spoken aloud.