It is the goal of OKPC, to provide all the kids that have an XO-laptop, with a tool they can use to actually create things.
XDs work equally well with wool and cotton yarn
All movable parts (like needles) can easily be replaced, even by children
The XD requires no external power source. Everytime the knitting carriage is moved along , the built-in battery for the pattern controller is recharged to run for another minute.
The XD can be used as desktop-machine (like normal home knitting machines) or as laptop-machine, since laps can be found everywhere, whereas desks may not.
Two XDs can be plugged together, to form a double-bed knitting machine.
The XD has a standard USB port - contemporary home knitting machines require expensive and proprietary cables to connect them to a computer - all the XD needs is a USB-cable.
The XD hardware is open, and modular. The kids are free to open their XD, rewire the hardware, and create circuit-bent pullovers whenever they like.
The XD pattern protocol is open. Open Source Projects and XO-Activities to control the XD will be freely available.