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Coming Soon for Gadget Geeks: Snap-Together Electronics

Tracy Staedter, Discovery News

An online community called the Bugnet allows users to share what they've built with other users, get feedback and trade advice. People will also be able to download specs and source code from the site to create their modules.

"I think the Web component is an essential part of any project like this," said Buechley. Not only can people build on what other people have built before, but seeing what others are doing can spark creativity, she said.

Semmelhack, who has 18 years of experience in the software industry, thinks the online community and the fact that the components are open-source could upset the natural order of consumer electronics. Now people buy electronic devices from a few big corporations, such as Sony and Samsung. But in the future, people could be buying cutting edge devices from a multitude of smaller companies.

"That would enable people or anybody to economically pursue niches that were impossible before," he said.

Who those people will be, though, is a question, said Buechley. From her point of the view, the Bug Labs components are more sophisticated and more expensive than some other do-it-yourself kits, such as those from Arduino (a main controller costs $35) and the PicoCricket (mostly for kids, costing $250).

Semmelhack's son, who is now six years old, recently used the Bug components to build his own device -- a motion-detecting remote control. Wave your hand once to reverse; twice to fast-forward.

"If my six-year old can come up with something that I never thought of, imagine what someone older can do," said Semmelhack.

Related Links:

Bug Labs

Howstuffworks.com: Open-source software

The Howstuffworks Electronics Channel

Tracy Staedter's blog: What the Tech?