FROM SKETCH
TO PROTOTYPE

We build production-ready hardware models for
your product ideas or ready to use products for
specific purposes.

Our Values

SPARK
IGNITE
PROTOTYPE

We solder fresh ideas into great prototypes by fusing robotics, artificial intelligence and digital technology. You need short product cycles and we have the extensive hardware and software experience to swiftly build a fully working prototype that’s ready for the assembly line.

READY
SET
BUILD

We help companies design and build alpha prototypes or a fully functional MVPs. Our extensive knowledge of different operating systems and protocols gained in the open source hardware community enables us to offer a full range of prototyping, product development, consultating, design and engineering services.

WE ARE ENGINEERS FIRST
ENTREPRENEURS SECOND

Sure, we design and build but at heart we are risk takers and go getters that organize ventures when opportunities arise. We easily become an extension to your team that is always ready to turn ideas into hard, real, tangible products.
We grew up with the open source community and developed our skills by creating gadgets and teaching others to do it as well. We know all the ins and outs of all processes and can support and advise on each decision along the way to the big market.

Our Process

CONCEPT

At this stage we look at things from every possible angle from the solution the product provides to how users interact with it. Every detail is important as it helps us find and define the critical features that will help sell the product in the end. Each answer leads us closer to the ultimate specifications such as: weight, size, materials, colors, buttons, screens, environmental conditions etc. In the end with enough caffeine and brainstorming we usually come up with an exciting new idea that we can’t wait to build and test.

Our Process

RESEARCH

At this stage we look at things from every possible angle from the solution the product provides to how users interact with it. Every detail is important as it helps us find and define the critical features that will help sell the product in the end. Each answer leads us closer to the ultimate specifications such as: weight, size, materials, colors, buttons, screens, environmental conditions etc. In the end with enough caffeine and brainstorming we usually come up with an exciting new idea that we can’t wait to build and test.

Our Process

DESIGN

At this stage we look at things from every possible angle from the solution the product provides to how users interact with it. Every detail is important as it helps us find and define the critical features that will help sell the product in the end. Each answer leads us closer to the ultimate specifications such as: weight, size, materials, colors, buttons, screens, environmental conditions etc. In the end with enough caffeine and brainstorming we usually come up with an exciting new idea that we can’t wait to build and test.

Our Process

PROTOTYPE

At this stage we look at things from every possible angle from the solution the product provides to how users interact with it. Every detail is important as it helps us find and define the critical features that will help sell the product in the end. Each answer leads us closer to the ultimate specifications such as: weight, size, materials, colors, buttons, screens, environmental conditions etc. In the end with enough caffeine and brainstorming we usually come up with an exciting new idea that we can’t wait to build and test.

Our Skills

Arduino & other microcontroller development boards

We have extensive experience with the Arduino ecosystem. The very first development board that we've used was an Arduino Duemilanove. We have used all of the official boards as well as the respective clones for different projects from robotics to wearables or Iot projects. However, we prefer official boards and a few other trusted clones like Teensy, the Feather or Flora series from Adafruit because of their good support and reliability.

We usually use Arduino for quick results and idea testing. After we have the proof of concept we move to a custom PCB design or other more robust solutions depending on project requirements.

We have created libraries and worked extensively with the C++ IDE of Arduino. Similarly, we do all the development on Linux since it enables IoT integration and a lot of open source projects for development.

Raspberry Pi & other embeddable Linux development boards

We have used RaspberryPi since it's launch for various projects demanding a bit more processing power than an Arduino or features like image processing and local storage where Arduino was not even an option.

We found it very useful in setting up gateways to drive data from smaller prototypes and send it in to a web based time-series database in IoT projects. We also did a few multimedia projects like media servers, Internet radios, music players, Kiosk setups with using Raspberry Pi. Similarly, we have used clones that offered some more specific features but when possible we tend to avoid them because they lack in support.

Since we do all the development work on Linux, it's easy for us to deploy and work on RaspberryPis. We program mostly in Pyhton since it has so many features already developed in libraries but for specific tasks we have used C++ or just bash to get stuff done.

IoT development boards

We have prior experience with most development boards related to IoT projects. Specifically, we built prototypes in various areas, such as medical, home automation, wearables, automotive or utilities that required Internet connected devices.

We developed end to end solutions, like getting data from devices and pushing it through ble, wifi, gprs or lora towards gateways using Rest apis or real time protocols like MQTT and storing it in the cloud in time-series databases that could be accessed/displayed in either Grafana or custom apps.

We like to work with the ESP modules, M5Stack or SIM808 modules and usually end up programming in C++ for low level stuff and Python for server side apps.

PCB design

Some examples of PCBs designed so far, from old school hand printed ones to machine printed ones. However, most of the work undergone in this area remained undocumented, since the PCBs are already part of clients projects.

Similarly, depending on the project, we have worked with both through-hole and surface-mount assembly technology requirements.

EaglePCB is our PCB design software of choice and we have been working with OSH Park and Eurocircuits extensively when it comes to PCB production services, respecting their requirements and best practices.

3D Modeling & Printing

In prototyping being able to make your own enclosures for custom projects is a must. Therefore we like to tinker in CAD and design and print practical stuff that comes in handy when making a product from scratch (such as cases, cable or tool management systems).

And, of course, when you have your own 3D printer you don't say no to designs that are useful in every day life, such us wallets or shoe lace locks.

We usually do the modeling in Tinkercad or Blender and for printing we use Simplify 3D.

Wood & Metal working

Some prototypes require larger enclosures or mechanisms that cannot be produced with a 3D printer. For this purpose, we also have a workspace equipped with power tools that come in handy when it comes to general wood & metal working.

Depending on the requirements of the project, we can produce the first iterations of the product using different mechanical processing techniques. For smaller enclosures we usually work with aluminium sheets and beams, as they are easier to bend and drill. But if need be, we can also weld larger enclosures, as we have the capabilities to cut, MIG weld and paint the parts.

And when we just need to test various ideas fast or simply decide how to approach details that need a warmer touch, we choose wood.

Meet the Team

While our core team is comprised of only 5 hardcore prototypers we have created a network of 80+ developers with a large variety of skills. Depending on the task at hand, we reach out to our network and offer the developers a project based collaboration. Experience taught us that this model works best for us, with hardware prototyping being so vast and specific at the same time.

We are also closely collaborating with OkapiStudio which is our go-to digital agency when it comes to digital development that supports our hardware endeavours.

Over the years we have consolidated our relationship with a network of electronic components suppliers, as well as related service providers. And we have got to the point that we consider them as part of our extended team, as they are essential to our deliveries.

And together with all our partners we strive to deliver fast and testable solutions for Hardware Prototyping!

Contact us