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#12 by recent demandRisingUnderserved1.9×

Hardware, IoT & smart home

People ask for things here more often than they launch them (demand share ≥ 1.5× supply share).

Requests
10
Show HN launches
508
Distinct people
473
Last 90d vs prior
153 / 106
Demand ÷ supply share
1.88×
Requests per month
024Nov ’25DecJan ’26FebMarApr3MayJunJulAugSepOctNov
Show data table
Monthrequests
Nov 20251
Dec 20251
Jan 20260
Feb 20260
Mar 20261
Apr 20260
May 20263
Jun 20260
Jul 20263
Aug 20260
Sep 20261
Oct 20260
Nov 20260
Show HN launches per month
04080Nov ’25DecJan ’2661FebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNov
Show data table
Monthlaunches
Nov 202524
Dec 202526
Jan 202652
Feb 202661
Mar 202654
Apr 202637
May 202617
Jun 202635
Jul 202641
Aug 202658
Sep 202646
Oct 202653
Nov 20264

What people are asking for

Concrete requests in this area, newest first.

10 requests, newest first

  • Wish it existed

    more games, personal apps, and open hardware – more fun stuff that became affordable due to AI

    Full quote
    I wish there were more games, personal apps, and open hardware – more fun stuff that became affordable due to AI

    brachkow · Sep 14, 2026in “Ask HN: What are you working on? (September 2026)”

  • Startup idea

    AI model to dump the firmware from DJI, Unitree, etc

    Full quote
    Startup idea: AI model to dump the firmware from DJI, Unitree, etc. etc. and turn it into human-readable code.

    echelon · Jul 24, 2026in “Unitree As2-W”

  • Wish it existed

    more emphasis on hardware people/startups than software

    Full quote
    Honestly I wish there was more emphasis on hardware people/startups than software.

    doctorwho42 · Jul 17, 2026in “Camera Chase Vehicle”

  • Startup idea

    I will make the robot that ferries your laundry robot up and down the stairs

    Full quote
    I have a startup idea: I will make the robot that ferries your laundry robot up and down the stairs.

    levocardia · Jul 2, 2026in “Weave Robotics launches Isaac 1, a $7,999 home robot with Fall 2026 deliveries”

  • Wish it existed

    law that all hardware vendors had to dump a sufficient amount of documentation if they discontinue a platform such that it can be emulated

    Full quote
    I wish there was a law that all hardware vendors had to dump a sufficient amount of documentation if they discontinue a platform such that it can be emulated.

    AtlasBarfed · May 13, 2026in “Preserving Fisher-Price Pixter”

  • Wish it existed

    nice mechanical keyboard with a thinkpad nipple

    Full quote
    I wish there was a nice mechanical keyboard with a thinkpad nipple

    mghackerlady · May 13, 2026in “The vi family”

  • Wish it existed

    framework style open e-ink device

    Full quote
    I wish there was a framework style open e-ink device.

    awongh · May 7, 2026in “Community firmware for the Xteink X4 e-paper reader”

  • Wish it existed

    painless gadget to flash the software with dumber software that loads instantly

    Full quote
    I wish someone would make a painless gadget to flash the software with dumber software that loads instantly.

    giancarlostoro · Mar 26, 2026in “Newly purchased Vizio TVs now require Walmart accounts to use smart features”

  • Wish it existed

    another alternative vacuum firmware project

    Full quote
    This is absolutely his right and perhaps his intention to keep the project small, but in that case I wish there was another alternative vacuum firmware project.

    ghostpepper · Dec 15, 2025in “Roomba maker goes bankrupt, Chinese owner emerges”

  • Wish it existed

    uptime robot for like 25 cents a monitor a month

    Full quote
    I wish there was an uptime robot for like 25 cents a monitor a month.

    typpilol · Nov 30, 2025in “Show HN: Network Monitor – a GUI to spot anomalous connections on your Linux”