T-01 Explorer: Freedom to Build Open Hardware

T-01 Explorer : Getting Started with Open Source Hardware

We’re planning to run a short, hands-on workshop (around 1hr 30mins) to help people take their first real step into hardware by building and understanding a small remote controlled desktop companion called the T-01 Explorer.

The idea is simple most people want to get into hardware but don’t know where to start. This workshop is meant to remove that barrier by showing how things actually work. We’ll walk through how to explore open source hardware, how to get started from scratch, and how to become comfortable with the tools involved. Along the way, we’ll cover the full lifecycle of building hardware from component selection to debugging, assembly, and testing. The goal is to make hardware feel approachable instead of overwhelming.

A big part of the session will also be about how the T-01 Explorer [by Harshith] was built. Why certain components were chosen, how costs were kept low, and what trade-offs were made during development. We’ll also share the story behind how the project started and what went into bringing it to life.

The workshop will be conducted by two people:
Harshit, who built the T-01 Explorer hardware system, and Srinivasan, who runs Pcbcupid.

We’ll be providing all the components needed for the session so participants can properly interact with the system and follow along. That said, we’ll be collecting them back at the end unfortunately, they’re a bit too expensive for us to give away 🫠.

By the end of the session, participants should walk away with a much clearer idea of how to get into hardware, how to start building their own DIY projects, and how to navigate the open source hardware ecosystem with confidence.

• Understand the fundamentals of hardware

• Learn how to enter and navigate the open source hardware ecosystem

• Gain hands-on experience by building a complete hardware system (T-01 Explorer)

• Develop the ability to go from idea to working prototype

• Learn how to select and use components like sensors, modules, and development boards

• Build confidence to create your own DIY hardware products

• Get introduced to rapid prototyping methods for faster development

• Understand the workflow of designing, assembling, and testing hardware

• Discover tools, platforms, and communities to continue building beyond the workshop