I think that open-source modules are valuable even without open-source ICs. At least for may classes of genetic IC/modules there are many vendors of an IC, so one could have multi-source for the IC, to reduce reliance on a single vendor/source.
It is becoming more and more feasible to do things software-defined, with a generic microcontroller being the core IC. I would love to see some projects for DC/DC power converters for example around a microcontroller with open software. This is a bit tricky because it needs to be safe, but in theory doable. Also need to be EMC compatible, which will require a lot of testing.
Generally going beyond hobbyist requires much better QA than what most current open source hardware projects are willing/capable to do.
Environmental testing, EMC testing, regulatory compliance, etc. Some exceptions might be vendors like Olimex.
It is becoming more and more feasible to do things software-defined, with a generic microcontroller being the core IC. I would love to see some projects for DC/DC power converters for example around a microcontroller with open software. This is a bit tricky because it needs to be safe, but in theory doable. Also need to be EMC compatible, which will require a lot of testing. Generally going beyond hobbyist requires much better QA than what most current open source hardware projects are willing/capable to do. Environmental testing, EMC testing, regulatory compliance, etc. Some exceptions might be vendors like Olimex.