This is a beginner-friendly talk about getting into hardware without needing expensive tools or a fancy lab. I’ll explain why open hardware and the right to repair matter, and how projects like PinePhone and Librem show what real user freedom looks like.
Then we’ll jump into the practical side: how to choose a microcontroller, wire basic parts, write simple firmware, and actually build something. I’ll also show the tiny handheld gaming device I built last night using a Raspberry Pi Pico, a display, and a few buttons, just to prove how easy and fun this stuff can be.
We’ll wrap up by looking at free tools like CircuitVerse and Wokwi, which let you simulate full circuits, microcontrollers, and displays directly in the browser. No money, no soldering, no excuses — anyone can start building.
Open hardware = freedom to repair, modify, and understand your own devices
You don’t need expensive hardware to learn, simulations are enough
Simple steps to build your first project (pick MCU → wire parts → write code)
How I built a small Pico-powered handheld in one night
Hardware is fun, accessible, and for everyone