Do you have an innovative concept for a connected device? Here’s why hardware prototyping is integral to the product development process and the success of your project.
Written by Madison Reid, Content Creator at MistyWest
What is Hardware Prototyping?
When MistyWest was approached by VodaSafe prior to developing the AquaEye, founder Carlyn Loncaric had a proof-of-concept (POC) and a goal: to develop a life-saving piece of technology that can quickly scan underwater to locate drowning victims. Through iterative prototyping, our engineering team was able to develop a hand-held device that made novel use of ultrasonic sensor technology in only a few months.
The purpose of hardware prototyping is to answer questions, ranging from technical unknowns to getting a better understanding of your end-users and/or market. In the case of VodaSafe, the success of the AquaEye not only depended on the ultrasonic technology but on ensuring that the device could withstand the outdoor elements while being usable by lifeguards swimming in open waters. …
Through optimized firmware, MistyWest improved the battery life of a Bluetooth low energy wearable device’s hardware from under 10 days to over 45. Here’s how.
Written by Justin Lam
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices have seen exponential growth over the past 5 years, and companies are constantly adding greater functionality to stay connected (such as adding machine learning to low power devices). When it comes to battery-powered devices like wearables, battery life will make-or-break your product for end-users. As devices become more complex, increasing in features, processing power, data rates, and range, the added functionality typically comes at a reduction in battery life.
In addition to a negative user experience, poor battery life also results in the need to have frequent charging, which impacts the overall battery lifetime health. Since lithium batteries have a limited number of charge cycles, frequent charging will lead to faster degradation and a reduction in total charge capacity. …
MistyWest has experience rolling out architectures on both Azure and AWS platforms for our clients’ projects. We take a high-level look at what each has to offer to determine which is right for your connected devices.
Written by Justin Lam
The Internet of Things has seen extensive growth in the past few years, and the number of connected devices is projected to amount to 21.5 billion units worldwide by 2025. Choosing the right platform to connect your devices is no easy task, and weighing the advantages and disadvantages between them is crucial to making sure your system’s architecture is designed to meet the demands of your application. Nobody wants to select the wrong platform for their business, as it can be costly to develop a solution and learn halfway about a deal-breaking limitation. …
Each Westie has the right to veto a prospective project if they deem it unethical. Here’s how we apply our ethics policy to our company process and keep MistyWest’s mission, purpose and values at the front of our BD efforts.
Written by Dan Millar, Business Developer at MistyWest
Introduction
Recently, MistyWest hosted a webinar on the Dark Side of Technology where we talked about the ethical implications society is currently facing as new technologies are developed. The conversation touched on issues like data sovereignty, (un)biased machine learning, and the increase in civilian/private access to technology previously only available to the military.
A low powered wearable can pack a serious punch when it’s trained to individual users habits and capabilities using ST’s Machine Learning Core.
Written by Kevin Lockwood, Systems & Bluetooth Engineer
Introduction
Leveraging ML Components to Unlock Powerful Low Power Applications
Motion Sensors, or Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), in wearable connected devices have long been able to internally detect limited human interactions (such as tapping) and in some cases, very specific orientations (such as a wrist tilt) while using low power consumption. Detecting complex motions, like the orientation or travel of a wearable in sports applications (such as tennis, golf, or boxing) requires a lot of data analysis by a microcontroller. …
Phil Tsao tears the Dyson Airwrap apart and marvels at its internal beauty in our technical teardown. Is the device built to last? Read on!
Written by Phil Tsao, former Westie.
Introduction
Previously, we brought you the first part of our Dyson Airwrap series where we looked at the surface of this achievement in product development, and then used it to deliver a bomb makeover for Ryan Walker.
Our first piece of video content harnesses the power of fluid dynamics and the Coanda effect to provide Walker a makeover.
Origin Story
If you’ve ever used a hand dryer in a public washroom, you’re probably familiar with Dyson. Famously known for their vacuums that defied the standard expectations for vacuum cleaners in the 1990s–featuring dual-cyclone fluid dynamic technology and very hefty price tags–Dyson has acquired a brand-loyal fanbase over the decades of lovers of their design engineering. The company’s researchers spend years developing patented technologies intended to disrupt existing product offerings in various markets, and Dyson highlights the research in their marketing and advertising.
Dyson has evolved since the 90s to make firmware-integrated fans and heaters, and made the leap into beauty and haircare products when they introduced the Supersonic Hair Dryer in 2017–featuring a digital V9 motor and “Air Multiplier Technology” that doesn’t get too hot–at a consumer price of $499 CAD. The device was a total game changer for individuals who use blow dryers, as it cut down drying time by more than half. …
Was your company in the middle of a hiring round when the world went into quarantine? You don’t have to delay onboarding and can still make your new employees feel like part of the team — even when you’re all working from home.
Written by Rebecca Apostoli, People & Culture at MistyWest
How do you balance the complex social and environmental needs of a new hire during a time as uncertain and prone to alienation as COVID-19? What happens when that time you should be attempting to integrate, include and enculturate a new hire is simultaneously one where you’re being instructed (or forced) to isolate, distance and remove opportunities for connection? What a conundrum!
An examination of Material Jetting, Binder Jetting, and Powder Bed Fusion technologies.
Written by Phil Tsao, former Westie.
Introduction
In this series, we’ve covered the history and growing popularity of 3D Printing and the various types of technologies available on the affordable scale that garage tinkerers or smaller businesses can use in-house. We’ve now arrived at Exotics and Metals, consisting of more expensive options that are usually for specific use cases. It’s more difficult to justify bringing these technologies into a smaller company, and it can be an expensive option for outsourcing. …
We continue our series on 3D Printing with Phil breaking down the difference between Fused Deposition Modelling, Stereolithography and Selective Laser Sintering techniques.
Written by Phil Tsao, Design Engineer and former Westie.
Introduction
When we left off Part 1, we had just taken a look at the recent history of 3D printing technologies, and requested quotes from various vendors on a custom part to compare pricing for different technologies, and had introduced a chart that identifies the different materials available in these price points.
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