For those who may not click the link, I would like to note that I performed an ~8 minute presentation in my garage to get a more personal introduction to me as a potential founder. I've looked through quite a few entries thus far and pretty sure it's a unique approach, at least it's a custom video for this opportunity. It's not terrible if you don't mind thought out, rehearsed pitches!
Thank you very much for the note; yes the patent process is step one. I built a timeline graphic that's in the linked site.
I was also thinking like industrial or medical applications, so that doors would be hands free. As a home device, I'd like to make a really simple version - think The Clapper for lights [1] - that could help elderly or mobility impaired people in their own homes. I've had a great introduction with a Patent Attorney who will assist crafting a broad, useful patent application, which is exiting in its own right!
The concept is neat, had a chance to view briefly. Can you comment on any 'gatekeeping' type considerations for age/region/content in regards to either the videos being broadcast and/or the comments being written? In an ideal world I wouldn't be asking such things, but in context of the internet at large, I think it'd be neat to hear your perspective(s) and potential avenues to address them.
>Building a community is a difficult endeavour even under perfect conditions, and changing the way a community works once it has been established is even more difficult.
Very interesting - a friend forwarded me a piece about another online community, The AV Club, which is quite relevant to this discussion. It looks at the nature of Community, Cliques, and Cesspool behavior. Might be a good companion, informal study to consider:
Very interesting. I think this is a solid area for rapid development. I do have some basic operational questions though: How extensively have you and the team researched civil and/or criminal liability regarding any undesirable use and outcome of the service? What kind of legal advice has been offered? Are you working with a reputable risk-management / insurance firm to explore coverage options?
This is an interesting approach to a genuine issue; I've got a background in Curriculum Design and can agree that an outside, "third party" type certification system could have market potential for both graduates and employers. One of the sticking points in my studies looking into a similar concept was balancing the cost to the student with the expected utility of receiving the certification. So, unless at the debut of the certification there is a large, verified list of employers willing to pay a premium for certified graduates, this concept doesn't make a market value connection in my opinion.
On another fundamental note, the system as described would be effective in long-term retention knowledge testing, true. Yet this model doesn't seem to incorporate 'continuing education' into the remedial approach. Thus, the certified prior knowledge can be tested and maintained, but there's no inclusion of 'new' studies and knowledge that promote long-term growth on top of the knowledge base.
As I've experienced in several industries, there are already licensing ('cerification') bodies which have deployed a Continuing Education (CE) credit model (e.g. insurance, finance). This proposed model may benefit from comparison and distinction from these existing, regulated approaches, in addition to the above note regarding expected market value. Cheers for taking on a genuine issue and working towards a better environment!
As for its operation: it's an attachment that fits to an existing door and uses motors to open it in a new way. The device is designed to have multiple input mechanisms, such as auditory (hand claps), light, or vibration (taps), and run on basic AA battery technology. In an industrial setting it could be keyed to RFID or other mechanisms to work as the mechanical assist to open/close a door with larger power and design optimization.
As for who would want it, there is a 'basic' version intended for senior citizens and pet owners, up to a 'connected' variant which can have all sorts of activation programming conditions. Essentially if one wants a door to open by itself, as though a ghost was doing it for them, this is the mechanism for that convenience.
Super, that's cool to know. I can honestly say my backyard garden surprised me with how crazy mint, arugala, lettuce and tomatoes were able to grow. If the aquaponics system can also help conserve water - always a concern in this region in spite of last year's record soaking and lake filling - that's another great environmental and cost benefit to the user. Thanks for the info!
First I really love the appeal of a symbiotic relationship like that between the fish and garden systems. It is genuinely clever and that you've gotten going in the pursuit (putting it mildly - prototype four!) is encouraging.
I see that you've noted your location - North Carolina - which leads me to a question of sorts: Have you given consideration to more heat-saturated environments?
The reason I ask is because my area of Texas can get 100+ for consecutive days, and other markets might also deal with lots of sunlight causing weathering issues. I don't have a swimming pool but I do know several owners past/present who lament how their equipment needs frequent replacements due to the baking type effect. I'm hoping this is something you could consider in advance so that you can tailor your marketing or potentially innovate a structure using materials that will address customary failure points. Hoping for the best in your project!
This is a practical idea. With capital I think you might even be able to recruit existing talent (video series on YouTube or specific person/team who makes them) to help consolidate the utility. I've seen first hand how educators of different levels strive to find good, usable content online in a variety of subjects. The hard sciences is of particular interest.
Related idea(s) for revenue: Purchase of 'supplemental' course materials (PowerPoints?) and/or "asset packages" that bundle relevant, high-quality graphics for educators to use in their own classrooms.
The layout is straightforward and I appreciate the tags for the type (Tutorial, Math, Chemistry). Feels just slightly busy but it's easy on the eyes. Hope it goes great for you and the team!
This is interesting; it reminds me somewhat of the "Bowie Bonds" concept that has been going around in music. The Offspring just sold their catalog for $35M I think. If the royalty structure is lucrative enough and worth the long-term exchange for the buyer then I think you could definitely establish a market.