Professional engineers and bedroom hackers alike are jumping on board the open-source bandwagon, with a recent survey showing the adaptable and innovative new wave of gear could be the future for technological creativity.

A recent survey by a prominent industry group found all its respondents (professional engineers, hobbyists and students) had purchased some kind of development kit or related products in the last year. In addition, 56 per cent of engineers said they were more likely to use open source hardware like Arduino or BeagleBone this year, 82 per cent of hobbyists said the same.

When asked about their use of open source software in 2013, 52 percent of professional engineers and 81 percent of hobbyists said they were using some kind of open-source or DIY programming.

With ever-increasing access for professionals and hackers into the expanding world of tools, codes and test boards, many are finding a crossover between gear and techniques from one world to the other. According to the survey the engineers’ biggest gripe with open source gear is the lack of reference designs and materials, an attribute less important to the hobbyist.