Looks like a more user-friendly version of the everything-is-a-module S-100 bus, letting the user plug things together without "forcing" them to open a case and

Looks like a more user-friendly version of the everything-is-a-module S-100 bus, letting the user plug things together without "forcing" them to open a case and look at circuit boards. This form factor has been fascinating to me recently. I don't see it in consumer systems but you can see it in industrial, scientific, and military systems by certain manufacturers[1] and in the PICMG family of standards[2]. A recent HN post linked to a NASA proposal[3] that employed a bunch of PICMG systems. Aside from greater flexibility of design, you can unplug and swap out parts without disassembling the whole system. Mounting cards in slots would minimize vibration, making it easier to ruggedize. [1] http://www.chassis-plans.com/backplanes.html#BackplanePrimer http://www.chassis-plans.com/backplanes.html#BackplanePrimer [2] https://www.picmg.org/ https://www.picmg.org/ [3] http://www.vadatech.com/media/pdf_SGSS-NASA-Paper-001.pdf http://www.vadatech.com/media/pdf_SGSS-NASA-Paper-001.pdf