Building Hardware: Prototype to Production

In my last talk at IndiaFoss 2024, I introduced the Mecha Comet and how we are building a handheld Linux Computer. This year I would like to talk about decoding the path from prototype to production. Since my interaction with the community, I have understood that a lot of capable folks in the FOSS united community know how to design hardware, they know how to work around design build fully functional prototypes - but they lack visibility into moving to production.

This talk will breakdown the entire process, using real-world experience while building the Mecha Comet and provide critical inputs in making your hardware project into a real product. Areas that I will be covering are -

1. Prototyping stages - EVT, DVT, PVT and what is required at each stage.

2. Designing enclosure and parts for production - understanding different ways of producing parts at low costs

3. Producing PCBs at scale - How to go about optimizing your Bill of Materials (BOM), PCB fabrication and assembly.

4. Certification and compliances - Kind of compliances needed for your product and how to get them

5. Open Hardware Licensing & IP protection

6. Supply Chain - Optimizing your import and export supply chain

7. Government Incentives - Different government programs that exists in building hardware

8. Building visibility - Spreading the word out, the right doors to knock and building a buzz

9. Fund raising - What are the options, weighing advantages and disadvantages

10. How can Mecha help - Access to our partners, insights and resources.

• Understanding processes involved in building hardware products at scale

• Lean and optimized way of building