OHMC2019

The Open Hardware Miniconf 2019 will take place as part of LCA 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The concept of Free / Open Source Software, already well understood by LCA attendees, is complemented by a rapidly growing community focused around Open Hardware and "maker culture". One of the drivers of the popularity of the Open Hardware community is easy access to cheap devices such as Arduino, which is a microcontroller development board originally intended for classroom use but now a popular building block in all sorts of weird and wonderful hobbyist and professional projects.

Interest in Open Hardware is high among FOSS enthusiasts but there is also a barrier to entry with the perceived difficulty and dangers of dealing with hot soldering irons, unknown components and unfamiliar naming schemes. The miniconf will use an Open Hardware assembly project as a stepping stone to help ease software developers into dealing with Open Hardware. Topics will cover both software and hardware issues, starting with simpler sessions suitable for Open Hardware beginners and progressing through to more advanced topics.

The day will run in two distinct halves. The first part of the day will be a hands-on assembly session where participants will have the chance to assemble a special hardware project developed for the miniconf. For 2019, the project will be a self-driving car that uses machine learning to process video and direct the car around a track. Based on the popular "Donkey Car" project, it will give you the opportunity to assemble the hardware and then experiment with the software.

Instructors will be on hand to assist with soldering and the other mysteries of hardware assembly. The second part of the day will be a presentations about Open Hardware topics, including information on software to run on the hardware project built earlier in the day.

Registration
To be announced

Venue
The venue for OHMC2019 will be announced soon.

Schedule
Date: Monday 21st January 2019

Project assembly in the morning followed by talks in the afternoon:


 * 10:40 - 12:20 Donkey Car Assembly Workshop (registration required to participate, spectators also welcome)
 * 12:20 - 1:30 Lunch
 * 1:30 - 1:55 TBA: TBA
 * 1:55 - 2:20 TBA: TBA
 * 2:20 - 2:45 TBA: TBA
 * 2:45 - 3:10 TBA: TBA
 * 3:10 - 3:50 Afternoon Tea
 * 3:50 - 4:15 TBA: TBA
 * 4:15 - 4:40 TBA: TBA
 * 4:40 - 5:30 Lighting Talks (5 minute blocks)
 * TBA: TBA
 * TBA: TBA
 * TBA: TBA
 * TBA: TBA
 * TBA: TBA

Lightning Talks
Please [mailto:geekscape@gmail.com,jon@oxer.com.au email Andy and Jon] if you'd like to present a 5 minute lightning talk.

Call For Papers
Please [mailto:geekscape@gmail.com,jon@oxer.com.au email Andy and Jon] if you'd like to present at the miniconf. Talk slots are 25 minutes, including changeover between speakers.

Discussion Group
There is a Google Group email list for discussion of topics related to the miniconf, including the assembly session:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/open-hardware-conf

Assembly Project
Each year we help attendees build a project specially developed for the Open Hardware Miniconf.

The project for 2018 is DonkeyCar, a self-driving car controlled by a Raspberry Pi using a machine learning system.

Cost of the kit for LCA2019 is AU$100 inc GST.

Through hole parts on the board will be assembled on the day, with all the SMD parts being pre-loaded on the board.

The hardware kit includes ...
 * RC car chassis
 * Raspberry Pi model B+
 * Raspberry Pi Camera
 * Custom chassis parts for mounting
 * Voltage regulator, PWM output controller, and other required parts