It is hard to over-estimate the impact that KiCad, but most especially services like PCBWay and JLCPCB, have had on hobbyist hardware. Sure, an 8 layer PCB isn't going to be CHEAP, but it's absolutely affordable compared to the alternatives, and 20 years ago, you would have had a hard time getting most board houses to even talk to you.
Tens of thousands of hardware projects that would have been basically unimaginable just 20 years ago. The community is deeply deeply vibrant, even in the US where the government has done everything possible to make things harder to source parts.
It runs from super simple adapter boards to high quality test and measurement equipment like the Thunderscope.
Like just a random RGBCW spotlight with WiFi. Is it great? No idea. But I love that it exists. I love that someone felt empowered to will this thing into the world.
https://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/Smart_RGB_RGBCW_spotlight___PROXIMA_ALPHA.html
