Sounds like that'll be a great read.
This is (literally) none of my business, but would you consider a cut down or basic open source version (hardware and software, with open software running in the proper hardware). Yes it'll be cloned by factories, and yes it will cut into sales no matter what proponents claim. (And yes it's probably more work than I imagine it is).
But also yes, it'll be genuine open hardware and might out live your interest in the project.
Reading your comment it sounds like you're asking the author to do more work to potentially/likely undercut their own sales. They are already offering a quality device at a reasonable price without any untoward restrictions.
If you want a Free work-alike, why don't /you/ put in the work and make it happen?