We were approached by John Ganotis, developer of DeviceKnit, a unique way to think about gadgets. Here’s how it works, according to John:We’ve been describing it as a “cookbook for gadgets.” In its first, simplest form its all about sharing applications for different electronics and gadgets people have. Users submit “implementations” as responses to a goal. An implementation consists of the hardware and software someone uses to solve a problem.You then keep an inventory of the hardware/devices you own in the system, and it helps you discover new applications for what you own already. We are crowdsourcing a database of the devices people can use in these implementations and iterating on a connection engine we’ve built, so that over time we will be able to model how different devices connect and are compatible, and for what uses.
John adds that want to open everyone’s eyes to what can and cannot be done with devices. A side effect for gadget manufacturers is to learn of the crazy things people do with their products.
DeviceKnit does not immediately have much to do with 3D printing, but we felt that: a) Fabbaloo readers would be interested, and b) we suspect there is a way to use this paradigm in the 3D printing world. Imagine if the same process was applied to 3D models instead of electronic gear? What uses would a design have? How many uses could a design have? What else could it be combined with to make something greater?
DeviceKnit is not open for business yet, but John reports they’ll probably “roll out our private beta in a month or so”.
Via DeviceKnit
