Six open-source gadget designs for DIY makers
A roundup of six open-source gadget designs that makers can build and customize themselves, reflecting a growing trend toward DIY electronics driven by dissatisfaction with big tech and interest in self-sufficiency. The gadgets include: Terra, an AI compass by Modem and Panter & Tourron with a 3D-printed shell for phone-free walks; Air-It-Yourself, an air purifier by Jihee Moon of Newtab-22 using household waste; Polyformer, a PET bottle recycling machine by Reiten Cheng that produces 3D printer filament; Re:Mix, a blender by German company Open Funk compatible with everyday jars; Dream Recorder, an AI dream journal by Modem that generates video from recollections; and Smart Citizen Kit by Fab Lab Barcelona for monitoring environmental data. All projects provide open-source files on GitHub.
Key facts
- Terra is an AI compass by Modem and Panter & Tourron with a customisable 3D-printed shell.
- Air-It-Yourself air purifier by Jihee Moon uses household waste like shoe boxes and plastic pots.
- Polyformer by Reiten Cheng recycles PET bottles into 3D printer filament.
- Re:Mix blender by Open Funk works with everyday jars and is open-source.
- Dream Recorder by Modem records dreams and plays them back as AI-generated video.
- Smart Citizen Kit by Fab Lab Barcelona monitors air quality, noise, temperature, and humidity.
- All six projects have open-source files and instructions available on GitHub.
- The roundup was published on Dezeen on April 25, 2026.
Entities
Artists
- Jihee Moon
- Reiten Cheng
Institutions
- Modem
- Panter & Tourron
- Newtab-22
- Open Funk
- Fab Lab Barcelona
- Seeed Studio
- GitHub
- Dezeen
Locations
- Netherlands
- South Korea
- California
- Germany
- Barcelona
Sources
- Dezeen —