What This Is
Embedded Rocks designs and shares open-source electronics projects. The focus is on creating hardware that can be built, modified, and understood without proprietary restrictions.
Each project includes complete schematics, firmware source code, and documentation. If something needs a kit, there’s a kit. If you’d rather source components yourself, the files are available.
🛠️ Current Projects
Clockwise – DIY Smart Clock
A Wi-Fi-enabled RGB LED matrix wall clock. Solder the board, flash firmware through a web interface, and customize the display. The design uses through-hole components where practical, making assembly and repairs straightforward.
Technical specs: ESP-based, web flasher, RGB matrix display, NTP sync, customizable animations
Pinch – Password Storage
Local password management without cloud dependencies. Designed for those who prefer to control where their credentials are stored.
Approach: Self-hosted, encrypted, no external services required
🛒 Hardware Store
The Clockwise kit is currently available, with all required components and documentation included. Use code CLOCKWISEDIS10 for 10% off.
Parts are also available separately if you’re building from the open-source files.
📬 Newsletter
Updates on project development, new releases, technical write-ups, and occasional discount codes.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
🎯 Design Principles
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|---|---|---|---|
| Open-Source | Practical | Flexible | Documented |
| All schematics, firmware, and design files are available under permissive licenses. | Projects focus on real use cases, not technology for its own sake. | Buy a kit or build from source files. Modify as needed. | Clear documentation, BOM lists, and assembly guides included. |
Icons designers credits 1,2,3,4,5
📐 Technical Approach
Component Selection
Through-hole components are used where possible to enable hand soldering and easier repairs. Surface-mount is used only when necessary for functionality or size constraints.
Firmware
Code is written to be readable and modifiable. Web-based flashing tools are provided when practical to avoid toolchain complexity.
Documentation
Each project includes: assembly instructions, schematic explanations, firmware architecture notes, and troubleshooting sections.
Licensing
Hardware designs are released under CERN-OHL or similar. Firmware typically uses MIT or Apache 2.0. Check individual project repositories for specifics.
🔧 Why Open-Source Hardware
Proprietary hardware creates long-term problems: discontinued products become e-waste, locked ecosystems prevent modifications, and knowledge stays siloed.
Open-source hardware allows:
- Repairs when components fail
- Modifications for specific needs
- Learning from working examples
- Iterations that improve on original designs
- Longevity beyond commercial product lifecycles
The goal is creating hardware that remains useful and understandable years after release.
🔍 Technical Support
Documentation First
Each project has comprehensive guides. Check the docs before reaching out.
GitHub Issues
Technical problems, bugs, or design questions can be posted on the relevant project’s GitHub repository.
Email
For questions not covered in documentation or GitHub issues.
📡 Contact
Instagram: @embedded.rocks
Project updates and build photos.
Email: contact@embedded.rocks
For collaboration proposals or technical inquiries.
GitHub: Embedded-Rocks
Project repositories and issue tracking.
⚖️ Licensing Summary
Hardware: CERN Open Hardware License (typically CERN-OHL-S or P)
Firmware: MIT License or Apache 2.0 (check individual repos)
Documentation: Creative Commons BY-SA 4.0
This means: commercial use allowed, modifications allowed, attribution required, share-alike for documentation.
© 2025 Embedded Rocks – Open-source hardware and firmware
Licensed under CERN-OHL and MIT/Apache (see project repos)
All designs can be manufactured, modified, and distributed per license terms.