lol teetee that is quite funny, pensioner network
Maybe you are more right than wrong who knows!!!
LEDDWCRigger - yes that was the model I was thinking of, leave the SW side open, they can modify and adjust and use as they like, maybe construct their own robot, or if they prefer get hold of the official HW platform for it which could be sold. Arduino and Rasp-Pi have those kind of licensing anyway so that a solution built around them needs to be open. Trouble there is that an open hardware will just get picked up by sparkfun or the likes and there is no benefit to the creators, that's what happened with BusPirate, and others probably.
But a hardware kit with a special optional adaptor or info on how to connect for Arduino , that would allow some protection for a little while anyway.
There is also another thing, when we buy things marked as "development only", it doesn't need to go through all the electrical, safety, immunity tests that an end product does. Something off the shelf working would require some investment up front to get to something that can legally sell. but then that's also a barrier to others copying it later
theoretical parallel lineup;
* open source project with development grade supporting HW for purchase. this is the feeder.
* Low cost commercial "home grade" timelapse platform, proper control SW etc, based on commercial micro subsystem.
* High end "industrial" system, all the bells and whistles.
First is the least risk for sure. third is easiest to analyse the market and what it will pay money for.
some interesting thought and input from the both of you, thanks guys!