This has been around for a little while, but I just heard about it this morning: Open Source Prosthetics. It seems like the perfect application of open source principles and ideology to hardware. Prosthetics users exist in one of the many niche medical markets not sufficiently supported by the industry. Their needs are very specific and it is often not profitable for large companies to concentrate on the unique needs of few. Open source principles, the massively collaborative nature of the internet, and rapid manufacturing techniques will open up hardware markets, “filling the needs of niche communities like amputees or developing
technologies that are societally beneficial but were previously
considered unprofitable (quoted from here).” With the Open Source Prosthetics Project, we’re now seeing regular do-it-yourselfers, engineers, and hobbyists who depend on prosthetics coming up with innovations that will change their lives.

Additionally, this project reflects the larger DIY and openness trends we’re seeing on the internet, as well as the idea discussed here that customers will threaten every producer. All of this is bolstered by the sense of honesty, approachability, and humor shown on the project’s site–Their slogan is “Prosthetics shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg,” and they have a discussion topic called “Pimp My Arm.”