Hardware Freedom Day

Saturday, 18th April 2026
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Inspire9 AKM Building Level 1/41-43 Stewart St, Richmond VIC

Open Hardware Exhibition & Showcase

Melbourne Tech Guilds, partnered with Linux Victoria, is proud to support Hardware Freedom Day — bringing together expert makers, engineers, and tinkerers to share real working projects. Come and see what's possible when you open up hardware, and connect with Melbourne's vibrant maker community.

Many thanks to our sponsors Inspire9 and Electron Workshop for making this event possible.

Projects on Show

  • 🤖 Minimax — Multifunction wheeled robot with built-in Machine Learning capabilities
  • 🐾 RoboKitty — Open-source four-legged platform with custom movement algorithms in development
  • 🦾 Robot Arm — A commercial arm hacked to provide greater user control and programmability
  • ✨ SparkNodes — A collection of ultra-low-cost robots that move and operate as an intelligent swarm
  • 🏠 Smart Home — Home automation with remote smart sensors and central management
  • 💡 LightBox — A 64×32 LED unit displaying custom text, animations and a VU meter

Lightning Talks

  1. Minimax — the making of a machine learning robot
  2. Robot Arm hack — taking commercial hardware further
  3. SparkNodes — demonstrating mathematics in real life
  4. Two tracks to nowhere — how poor documentation can derail a project

Alongside Melbourne Tech Guilds there will be other Melbourne-based creative groups and makerspaces. Come along to meet and chat with tech engineers who have a passion for sharing what they know.

Getting to Inspire9

Maps Link for Inspire9:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/eRMAXpBdmG1Ece4m9

Transport

Train station is located right next to Inspire9.
Tram 70 is a short 2 minute walk.
There is 2hr parking on the street but very often there are no spots.
Inspire9 main entrance is wheelchair accessible.

When arriving, head for the AKM building.

Reserve Your Place

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For news and updates about Hardware Freedom Day, visit the Electron Workshop event page where you can also subscribe for updates.

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Schedule

  • 11:00 Doors open
  • 11:30 Exhibition opens — live demos and project displays
  • 13:00 Lightning talks begin
  • 14:00 Open floor — meet the makers, Q&A
  • 16:00 Close
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