In June, Open Source Ecology Germany e.V. (OSEG) was invited to SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences to present the association and provide students with an opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge. The task was simply to become an evangelist for OSEG or for Open Source Hardware in general. Seven groups collected ideas and new approaches and presented them in July.
Below is a report by Yana about her experiences and insights from this collaboration with OSEG. Thank you, Yana!
On June 20th at 12:30, we had the pleasure of welcoming Sigrid and Holger from Open Source Ecology Germany (OSEG) to SRH University of Applied Sciences. Their visit turned into an inspiring session that opened our eyes to the future of open source innovation and its potential impact on society.
Before this session, I have to admit, I wasn’t familiar with OSH (open source hardware), and neither were many of my classmates. Yet, what open source does, has the power to completely transform how we think about technology and production. Sigrid and Holger shared fascinating insights into open source projects and even showcased several items they had 3D-printed themselves.
The possibilities that open source technology unlocks are truly mind-blowing. It goes far beyond simple prototypes. OSEG envisions a future where ordinary people will be able to produce machinery that today is only manufactured by large corporations. And this idea isn’t limited to industrial machines. Imagine constructing pieces for your own laptop, smartphone, or smartwatch with open source; designed to fit your personal needs!
What resonated with me personally even more, was OSEG’s non-profit nature. Everyone involved works purely out of passion for freedom and innovation, not financial gain. In a world where profit often drives progress, it’s comforting to know there are communities dedicated to the fair distribution of knowledge and science. This spirit of openness and collaboration fosters an environment where creativity can truly flourish. At one point, a classmate asked a thought-provoking question:
“If people have the freedom to create anything, what guarantees they won’t use this hardware with bad intentions?”
The response was simple yet profound. Of course there is an existing awareness that there is a dual use for any product; even products created or built with purely innocent intentions, can be misused for problematic purposes. However, OSH model is built on the belief that freedom comes hand in hand with trust; trust that innovations will be used for positive purposes, and that the community itself will uphold these values.
This visit was far more than a lecture. It offered a glimpse into a future where technology is shaped by individuals, not just corporations. Seeing how OSH blends cutting-edge innovation with strong community values left me inspired to think differently about how ideas grow and spread today. The days when access to knowledge and innovation was limited to a few seem to be fading, and that’s a future worth believing in.
