[robertfrank]

I don’t mean this in an overly judgmental way, but how much utility is there to open source physical objects for most people if they don’t also include some sort of cost benefit? What’s the utility of an open source t-shirt you can make for $30 when a 5 pack of shirts from Walmart is $10? I like the idea in concept, but how does a normal person implement open source physical good production?

[rnewme]

Companies pick it up and start selling the open source product. Since it's open anyone can fix it, modify it, upgrade it etc. Prices go down, both for devices and parts. Even if no new parts are available you still have giant used market.

[jacknews]

Look at say washing machines.

How many different models/brands are on the market?

I estimate many hundreds, if not thousands.

Each model/brand comes with some degree of custom design and engineering, documentation, etc, etc. All for fragmented production runs, all to try to gain proprietary advantage.

Why do we need so many? We really don't actually, maybe just a dozen or two to address various niches.

If companies just picked up an open source design (which would be constantly improving, just as with software), they could save many of those costs, and potentially even more by scaling up volume of production.

[account42]

Often the perfect item for you is not available at all. An open source version would allow you to modify the design to your specific needs and likes.