Reviving old scanners with an in-browser Linux VM bridged to WebUSB over USB/IP
YesWeScan.app is a web-based tool that revives old scanners by running a Linux VM inside the browser, bridged to WebUSB over USB/IP. It eliminates the need for outdated drivers or OS compatibility, enabling users to scan directly from any modern browser. The project is open-source and available at yes-we-scan.app. It leverages WebUSB to connect to the scanner and USB/IP to tunnel the device into the VM, where SANE (Scanner Access Now Easy) drivers handle the hardware. This approach works with many older scanners that lack modern driver support. The tool is particularly useful for developers and hobbyists who want to digitize documents without maintaining legacy systems.
// why it matters
Enables legacy hardware use without driver or OS dependencies.