Ask HN: I need some hardware based startup ideas
Please chime in with any hardware/software related startup ideas. A buddy of mine is a hardware SoC engineer and I'm an EE, but I've focused a lot on coding over the years and we're trying to come up with some ideas that resonate with our skill set. Any thoughts are appreciated.
18 comments
Build a projector for presentations that doesn't require you to plug in a computer. Instead, you just plug in a USB disk or SD card, and it will give you a list of PDF files and let you show one as a presentation. (No more fiddling with laptop video dongles, mirroring modes, resolutions. etc.)
Network-accessible storage bricks.
The world is moving more and more towards separating storage from logic, so you don't need a lot of CPU power attached to each disk; on the consumer side there are cheap NAS devices, but they (a) generally don't allow you to install your own code without major hackery, and (b) aren't designed for server environments.
The world is moving more and more towards separating storage from logic, so you don't need a lot of CPU power attached to each disk; on the consumer side there are cheap NAS devices, but they (a) generally don't allow you to install your own code without major hackery, and (b) aren't designed for server environments.
I think this is a good idea, and I think it is very doable with relatively little up front investment, given what sorts of small linux-capable boards are available now.
If you put more brains on it, for example something like BackupPC, there would be a market for that also.
If you put more brains on it, for example something like BackupPC, there would be a market for that also.
High end pet feeder.
A microphone that's always streaming to the internets.
A robot to clean my roomba.
Turn a roomba into a cheap telepresence robot so I can roll into meeting rooms.
A really small bluetooth phone ringer/vibrator that can be easily concealed cause I wear clothing with no pockets, or tight jeans, and my cell phone is always in my pocketbook and if it's the slightest bit noisy around me I never ever hear my phone ring, especially when I'm out in noisy bars and people are calling me wondering 'hey, where are you? we're supposed to meet up an hour ago' but I never heard the call because I'm wearing clothing that is not cell phone friendly. Despite all of this I am always surprised I have 10 missed calls.
A microphone that's always streaming to the internets.
A robot to clean my roomba.
Turn a roomba into a cheap telepresence robot so I can roll into meeting rooms.
A really small bluetooth phone ringer/vibrator that can be easily concealed cause I wear clothing with no pockets, or tight jeans, and my cell phone is always in my pocketbook and if it's the slightest bit noisy around me I never ever hear my phone ring, especially when I'm out in noisy bars and people are calling me wondering 'hey, where are you? we're supposed to meet up an hour ago' but I never heard the call because I'm wearing clothing that is not cell phone friendly. Despite all of this I am always surprised I have 10 missed calls.
I've always wanted a cheap GPS device with a really long battery life and adapters to plug into anything (car, usb, wall). I want to drop it in my bags (especially when I travel), keep it with me when I run, and attach it to expensive things (hidden in my car). Then have a companion website that lets user's access/download/delete and map their data. You'd have to have some plain english privacy guarantees to keep from scaring people away.
Validation and opportunity: 1. iPhone apps that track running routes successfully charge money. The gps on these things sucks and carrying it can be cumbersome. 2. OnStar and similar car systems are popular and their interactive features are being replaced by phones. 3. Suggestions?
Validation and opportunity: 1. iPhone apps that track running routes successfully charge money. The gps on these things sucks and carrying it can be cumbersome. 2. OnStar and similar car systems are popular and their interactive features are being replaced by phones. 3. Suggestions?
I should have mentioned: Keep it cheap by not have any IO other than on/off and maybe an old school battery warning light.
Anything where lower-cost software on commodity hardware could replace very expensive hardware that is commonplace:
e.g. Routers
e.g. Routers
Timeclocks (for employees).
Current corporate offerings suck, both in terms of the device, and the proprietary formats.
Make it export to CSV or Quickbooks OR XLS. Make it durable, and reasonably priced.
Current corporate offerings suck, both in terms of the device, and the proprietary formats.
Make it export to CSV or Quickbooks OR XLS. Make it durable, and reasonably priced.
How about a portable (as in removable) home media server, but for the car. Ideally this would be directed towards families with children on long car rides. It could sync w/ your home library, and allow each child to listen/view the specific media they desire of off their 802.11 device of choosing.
Since it is portable, you remove it from the car during your hotel stay, and again use it in your hotel room to keep the kiddies pacified.
Since it is portable, you remove it from the car during your hotel stay, and again use it in your hotel room to keep the kiddies pacified.
Build a device for use in bars with lots and lots of imported beer to keep track of how much each beer drinker likes their beer.
When they go to throw away the bottle, have them scan a barcode, and swipe their license or other identifier and then vote on how much they enjoyed that particular beer.
Associate data as necessary and distribute as required.
When they go to throw away the bottle, have them scan a barcode, and swipe their license or other identifier and then vote on how much they enjoyed that particular beer.
Associate data as necessary and distribute as required.
802.11 or RJ-45 based infrared server. This device would connect to your home network, and could have extensions in each room of your room. It would have the ability to "learn" the remote control codes of your various device remotes. You could then use the included software (that you will write) to either automate specific tasks or create macros. Then you can use your iPhone or Ipod touch as the true controller for the infrared server and control all the devices within your home from one device.
How about an affordable bidirectional version of X10 home automation devices with mechanical feedback.
I would love to be able to buy a wall switch for $15 to $30, that I could remotely turn on and off, and it would physically move to the on or off position. Additionally, I would be able to query the state of the device and determine if it was on or off.
I want a whole network of devices like these, similair to the X10 product lines.
I would love to be able to buy a wall switch for $15 to $30, that I could remotely turn on and off, and it would physically move to the on or off position. Additionally, I would be able to query the state of the device and determine if it was on or off.
I want a whole network of devices like these, similair to the X10 product lines.
RJ-45 to USB converter. More specifically, it would be two separate connectors, each with a female RJ-45 port. Just add the proper length of cable you need, and bam, instant USB cable. Not sure of the signaling issues, but you are an EE, and if they can make it work with HDMI over CAT6, it should be viable.
Building Management Systems, Security Management Systems.
Remote control to turn off (or blow out?) loud booming car stereos in the car next to you at the light ala tv-b-gone (or maybe car-b-boom!)
Anything involving cells or batteries, electric vehicles and other machinery is going to be massive.
Automate Algae-Based BioFuel Refinery
Inexpensive Cell Phones.
Electric car company