technology polygraph orange
TRANSCRIPT
SquidlabsRadical Innovation
Technology Polygraph
What is a Technology Polygraph?
A Technology Polygraph rapidly identifi es solutions to
improve your products. It provides a low-commit-
ment, high-value opportunity to generate solutions
before starting on an immersive or long-term project.
Squid works with you to quickly assess rapid get-to-
market initiatives, increase profi tability and jump
ahead of your competition.
As a result of the Technology Polygraph, you will
learn which emerging technologies will create the
best results for you.
The service is performed for a fi xed fee in a short
timeframe, typically two to four weeks. The
Technology Polygraph is an inexpensive, quick way to
identify the best solution that maximizes
profi tability.
The Technology Polygraph ProcessThe Technology Polygraph Process is used to
decrease product cost, increase performance and give you the internal sales tools you need to excel.
The process includes:
• Two-Day brainstorming session
• Assessment of emerging technologies,
implementation scenarios and strategies to make
them work for you
• Review of core business markets, competitive set,
and technology best practices
• Strategies for moving insights into your pipeline
• A graphic report and PowerPoint presentation that
function as internal sales tools. The collateral
materials include:
- A written assessment of viable technologies
- Visual illustrations of technology scenarios
- Potential user experiences
• Rough prototype, if appropriate
The Solution: Radical InnovationSquid developed a radical innovation to the human
powersource that can be used in underdeveloped
areas.
In six weeks, we tore down existing mechanisms,
identifi ed functional requirements, invented and
prototyped an electro-mechanical solution,
determined its cost and proved its feasibility.
The results:
• 3X increase in performance
• Increase in durability
• Decrease in parts
• Reduction in cost
• Improvement in form factor
Case Study: Human Powered Generator
The Vision: To Close The Digital DivideThe nonprofi t organization One Laptop Per Child
seeks to close the digital divide between wealthy
and underpriveledged nations. They aim to provide
$100 laptop computers to needy school children
across the globe.
The Problem: No Feasible Power SourceThe main obstacle to the $100 laptop computer is
supplying a viable powersource in underpriveledged
nations.
Standard AC powersources cannot be used in areas
that do not have the power infrastructure to support
them.
The alternative human powersources that currently
exist are cost, energy and biomechanics ineffi cent:
they have too many parts and high rates of
operational failure in harsh conditions.
Working with the client, Squid rapidly identifi ed key
functional requirements for an ideal human
powersource:
• Must generate 20 Watts of power for sustained
periods
• BOM less than $10- Must conform to laptop budget
• Biomechanically effi cient - minimize energy waste.
• Low Noise - appropriate for classroom & home use
• Size - smaller and lighter than the laptop
• Integrated package - components should pack
small and stay together
• Robust, Field Repairable - minimize non-user
servicing/Replaceable cord
• Multi-modal operation - provide biomechanical
and situation options
Functional Requirements High-Speed Prototyping
In the fi rst week of the Technology Polygraph, Squid
built and tested several innovative power
generation mechanisms.We chose a radical solution
that simultaneously decreases cost and part count
while increasing reliability and effi ciency.
Prototype Testing
Squid’s ergonomically effi cient prototype offers a
mutli-modal user experience. The design leverages
bio-mechanics to produce a 3x increase in power
output and radically improve user endurance.
Squid’s quick electro-mechanical prototyping allows
testing of multiple design directions. This ability to
rapidly build and test enables measurable design
improvements that lead to the best innovation in the
shortest time period. This stage of the
Technology Polygraph is crucial to determing the
optimal solution.
Functional Requirements
The Innovation
Simplifi ed wind up device.
The Advantages:
• Eliminate gear stages
• Eliminate clutches
• Eliminate return springs
The Impact:
• Increased durability
• Decreased cost
• Near silent operation
• Smaller form factor
More Effi cientElectronics & Software
The Innovation
Impedence matching electronics
and software package.
The Advantages:
• Optimize power output
• Optimize load control
• Optimize load conditioning
The Impact:
• Increased effi ciency
• Increased reliability
• Decreased part count
• Multimodal interaction
More DurableMaterial Selection& Durability Testing
The Innovation
Optimal materials and parts.
The Advantages:
• Improved material selection
The Impact
• Increased abrassion resistance
• Increased reliability
Traditional fairlead
Optimized fairlead
Squid’s “big idea” is to maximize effi ciency by utilizing user strength resistance and angle of pull.
The fi nal design integrates electro-mechanical and software innovations that constantly optimize impedance match to the user.
Implementation of this “big idea” is only possible because of the rapid building and testing of improved prototypes.
Repeated prototype building and testing iterations revealed the best solution for each aspect of the fi nal design.
Squid’s multidisciplinary engineers are able to combine these different facets into one seamless solution.
Radical Innovation
More Elegant
More SimpleMechanical
iso-power lines
iso-effort lines
optim
um im
peda
nce m
atch
torque
speed
“To survive the rapid evolution in the technology sector,
companies need a vigorous infusion of innovative thinking.
Squid delivers inspired creative thinking with a passion for
demonstrating feasible solutions.”
Nicholas Negroponte, Chairman, MIT Media Lab
Big SavingsSquid created a solution that exceeds the performance of existing products on all metrics for less than 60% of the target cost.
Quick Time to MarketThe simple solution put the client on target to deliver over a million units in less than nine months.
Powerful Sales ToolsThe solution was supported by test data, high quality product visualizations and a working prototype.
These tools enabled the client to rapidly move the project forward.
High Impact
Squid Labs1467 Park AveEmeryville, CA 94608