# Call for Devrooms for IndiaFOSS 2025 **URL:** \ **Category:** IndiaFOSS Conference\ **Created:** [1 March 2025 12:13 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/call-for-devrooms-for-indiafoss-2025/5290 "2025-03-01T12:13:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 7
**Author:** ![Balu\_B](https://forum.fossunited.org/user_avatar/forum.fossunited.org/balu_b/32/1071_2.png) [@Balu\_B](https://forum.fossunited.org/u/Balu_B)\ **Post date:** [20 March 2025 16:06 UTC](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/call-for-devrooms-for-indiafoss-2025/5290/7 "2025-03-20T16:06:57Z")
# Building the Future of Open-Source Hardware ## Devroom Managers - **Balu** - **Amit** - **Kailash** - **Harish** We are the **core members of Absurd Industries** , a passionate open hardware community dedicated to **getting more people to build things**. Since 2023, we’ve been holding **monthly meetups** , bringing together **makers from all walks of life**. Our meetups aren’t just about theory—they’re about **making**. We’ve hosted hands-on **workshops on building macropads, ePaper wrist watches, lightsabers, taught the fundamentals of Arduino and other microcontrollers, and even dedicated an entire session to the humble screw** (because every great project needs solid fasteners!). At our core, we believe in **lowering the barrier to DIY**. * * * ## Proof of Feasibility We believe the **Open Hardware Devroom** will easily sustain a **3-hour session** because: Our community isn’t just large—it’s **active, engaged, and filled with makers, tinkerers, and innovators**. Given how vibrant and hands-on our members are, we are confident that a **call for proposals (CFP) within our community** will generate **a strong response with high-quality submissions**. We’ll do **personal reach-outs** to members of the community who are working on **interesting projects to present their work**. We’ve already seen this in action. The **first-ever Open Hardware team meetup** , a collaboration between **Absurd Industries and FOSS United Bangalore** , proved that our community is eager to participate. Once we put out a **CFP within our circles** , the majority of submissions came **directly from our members** , and even the **final selection was community-driven** —ensuring that the talks reflected the interests and expertise of the participants. * * * ## Short Introduction & Motivation Open-source hardware is a vital but often underrepresented part of the FOSS ecosystem. While open software has seen widespread adoption, [**open hardware faces unique challenges** , including accessibility, manufacturing constraints, and licensing concerns.](https://www.notion.so/1b1f4711e94980ceaca8c0e75a33d2f4?pvs=21) The **Open Hardware Devroom** aims to bring together developers, makers, and researchers working in open-source electronics, embedded systems, and DIY hardware. Through this space, we hope to: - **Showcase real-world open hardware projects** and their impact on industries like IoT, automation, and education. - **Discuss the challenges of hardware openness** , from licensing to supply chain difficulties. - **Facilitate knowledge-sharing** on tools, workflows, and best practices for designing and manufacturing open hardware. - **Strengthen the Indian open hardware community** , providing a platform for collaboration and networking. * * * ## Number of Volunteers Requested - **Proposal Reviewers:** members from within our community + 1 member from FOSS United. - **Logistics Volunteers:** 2 volunteers to assist with managing the devroom on the day of the event. - **Devroom Managers (Balu, Amit, Kailash and Harish) will also help with reviews and logistics.** * * * ## Call for Proposals (CFP) ### Scope of Talks We invite proposals that focus on **open-source hardware development, community-driven innovation, and real-world applications**. Suggested topics include (but are not limited to): - **DIY and Maker Projects:** Personal and community-driven open hardware initiatives. (e.g. [T1E: ePaper Watch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpTXz0AlL78)) - **Open-Source PCB Design & Tools:** KiCad, EasyEDA, LibrePCB, and related workflows. (e.g. [Cory Dora: Open Source Macropad](https://github.com/balub/CoryDora)) - **Hardware Security & Trust:** Ensuring transparency and security in open hardware. - **Open-Source Silicon & FPGAs:** RISC-V, open ASICs, and FPGA toolchains. (e.g. [Open-Source Chips](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvyl9yv9X3A)) - **Challenges in Open Hardware Adoption:** Manufacturing, and ecosystem barriers. (e.g. [Building Open Hardware with FOSS](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFYOFzUogiU&list=PLOGilj110olybt7FblXW8RctIJ3JBt6IO&index=8)) - **Community-Driven Hardware Development:** Collaborative models for hardware innovation. (e.g. [Building an Open-Source Supersaber](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40Eub7Q78Go)) We welcome both **technical talks and practical workshops** , with preferred durations of: - **10+5 min (Lightning Talks)** - **20+5 min (Standard Sessions)** - **30+5 min ( Fireside chat)** --- _[View the full topic](https://forum.fossunited.org/t/call-for-devrooms-for-indiafoss-2025/5290)._