I was just reading the other day how a kid build a brail writing machine out of Legos. Google it. Afterwards, tons of people are contacting him with opportunities. He smartly found a niche where brail machines were highly expensive and produced a low cost alternative with free plans distributed. On the flip side is he undercutting the makers of the brail machines? Perhaps, but hes helping the "greater good".
So what are the projects and ideas we can tackle? I myself am in a unique position where I have the time to develop such a project. I'm an experienced J2EE developer with Web Design skills. I'd even be willing to work with others on a worthy project.