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New innovative business idea - feedback ?

shannok2

Hi all,

My name is Kevin, I'm looking for any and all feedback and advice with regard to a new business idea.

The business concept is a totally new way of waking - an alarm clock which utilises the harmless and frequently used technology of Electrical Muscular Stimulation (EMS) to rouse the user. EMS is currently used by products such as "Slendertone" - you know the belts that people wrap around their waist to stimulate their abs.

EMS delivers a unique sensation to the affected area that is strong but not painful. For these reasons it is believed EMS will provide an ideal alternative to ordinary alarm clocks. The alternative that is proposed will be called the “E-wake”. It is believed that this new product will overcome many of the problems associated with conventional alarms. Problems such as ;

1.As time passes users can become immune to alarms that they have used for long periods;
2.Deep sleepers often find it impossible to wake with the aid of these devices claiming they do not hear the noise;
3.If a user is successfully woken by their alarm, they will still probably be very drowsy;
4.Individuals will almost involuntarily choose to avail of a “snooze” function instead of getting up as they might wish to.

The device is comprised of an armband, similar to those used for casing mp3 players and electronic devices during exercise. The armband will house an LCD screen displaying the time and date and will obviously incorporate an alarm function which can be set to the desired wake up time of the user. The unit will have a button interface which will allow the user set the alarm time.

The E-wake is intended to function as follows; when triggered, an electrical current will flow into electrodes (metal contacts) which will be located on the underside of the armband . These electrodes come into contact with gel pads which in turn touch the users skin (bicep). Upon feeling his/ her muscles involuntarily contract (due to the current) the user will be roused.

Initially,it is intended to sell the E-wake within the Irish market. Particular market segments which will be targeted are the deaf / hard of hearing community and people who have extreme difficulty waking - narcoleptics, as it is believed our product can be most beneficial to these individuals.
There are approximately 30,000 deaf people living in Ireland alone (Irish Deaf Society 2010), and although some products do exist to cater to the needs of this segment (Hearing Direct 2010), we feel that E-wake is a much more effective product than any of those currently on offer.

Thank you for taking the time to read the concept, and as I said at the top any and all criticism , advice and feedback would be greatly appreciated.

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Comments

LizardKing

I need one of these ... snooze button is too easy in the mornings

keane2097

I can't imagine sleeping with the gel those things need smeared on the arm would be very comfortable...

Is there anything to suggest that being woken in this fashion will lead to less drowsiness/quicker transitioning to full awake?

shannok2

Hi , thanks.

Our product is physically attached to the arm, and thus uses the sense of touch rather than hearing to wake the sleeper, which is indeed statistically proven to be the most reliable method of waking.

Another perceived innovative aspect of the ‘E-Wake’ not mentioned previously is that it is a personal product, which affects only the individual who wears it. The partner, or housemates of the user will not be affected or disturbed by the product, as is generally the case with traditional alarm clocks.

keane2097

shannok2 wrote: »

Our product is physically attached to the arm, and thus uses the sense of touch rather than hearing to wake the sleeper, which is indeed statistically proven to be the most reliable method of waking.

Cool.

mlmcelligott

Here’s a bit of brain storming....

Have you done any field tests to see if the arm band is comfortable to wear for 8 hours in your sleep?

What age group is it focused at? Could it be harmful to children or the elderly if its used incorrectly? Could it cut off circulation to the arm if it’s put on too tight?

Could the LCD screen potentially be a hazard if it breaks or cracks?

How long should the batteries last? Could they leak and burn the skin over time. How does the user know they need to be changed/charged?

What’s to stop someone taking it off in their sleep and throwing it on the floor?

And of course since you are effectively electrocuting the wearer is there any risk it could kill somebody?

tricky D

There's already loads of vibrator bed and pillow alarms for the deaf market. Does your USP have a significant advantage over these already market established products? Are there patent issues which would be expensive to investigate and/or secure?

shannok2

Hi thanks a million - that's exactly the kind of critical feedback we're looking for !

Field tests have been carried out with admittedly a small sample size of 24. 92% of respondents claimed the armband affected their sleeping pattern in no way whatsoever. Two respondents felt their sleeping patterns were affected slightly.

We have not targeted a specific demographic yet as we're still assessing whether to launch the device as a specialist product or for general use. Either-way, due to the technological nature of the device the elderly and children dont really figure in our plans.

Theoretically your right, the circumference of an individual's bicep could certainly be too large to accommodate the device, e.g - weight lifters and the clinically obese. This hasn't really been considered until now. The armband will be adjustable in tightness much like and mp3 running wallet.

The LCD screen will certainly be reinforced and tested to ensure it doesnt break under the weight of a user.

We are currently researching the feasibility of rechargable v standard consumable batteries, if you have any specialist insight on the topic that'd be appreciated. Suffice to say whichever we go with will definitely conform to all irish health and safety standards.

Essentially there is nothing to stop an individual taking the device off - only a desire to get up in the morning !

There is no risk of fatality whatsoever - EMS is a safe and frequently used technology with an immaculate safety record - we're just using it for a new purpose.

Turbulent Bill

shannok2 wrote: »

We have not targeted a specific demographic yet as we're still assessing whether to launch the device as a specialist product or for general use. Either-way, due to the technological nature of the device the elderly and children dont really figure in our plans.

...

There is no risk of fatality whatsoever - EMS is a safe and frequently used technology with an immaculate safety record - we're just using it for a new purpose.

\Dons Dragon's Den hard stare...
You need to sort out your demographic first - to me this looks like a specialist deaf/hearing-impaired product. Most people use a multi-purpose device that happens to have an alarm function (mobile phone, clock radio etc.), and the additional inconvenience of using gel pads etc. won't sway them. As for heavy sleepers/reluctant wakers, there's no evidence that people won't rip off the band just as easily as they hit the snooze button now - you'd need a study to show how effective it is long-term.

Has EMS been used before on sleeping people? At a guess most EMS products would have some boilerplate warning about monitoring the effects while in use, not much use when you're asleep!

\Dons engineer's hat again...
Best of luck, good to see some innovation.

x in the city

that would have to go through a huge complex and costly FDA approval before it even gets to the market.

mawk

yup, fda keep an eye on ems devices. from their website:

Q. Is FDA concerned about the unregulated marketing of these devices?
A. Yes. FDA has received reports of shocks, burns, bruising, skin irritation, and pain associated with the use of some of these devices. There have been a few recent reports of interference with implanted devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators. Some injuries required hospital treatment. It is very important that these devices be properly designed, manufactured, and labeled with clear and complete instructions for use and that anyone using them follows the instructions carefully. FDA is also concerned because many of these devices have cables and leads. If those cables and leads do not comply with electrical safety standards, there is the possibility of electrocution by users and other household members. FDA is currently investigating firms that are illegally marketing EMS devices.
Q. What does FDA regulation accomplish?
A. Firms that market EMS devices are required to comply with appropriate FDA premarket regulatory requirements before they may legally sell their devices. The firm must be able to demonstrate that these devices are as safe and as effective as similar devices that are legally marketed. Devices may only be marketed for uses that are established for the device or for uses that the firm can support with data. At this time, FDA is not aware of scientific information to support many of the promotional claims being made for numerous devices being widely promoted on television, infomercials, newspapers, and magazines.

but since you want to sell in ireland only for now thats not a concern. you would however want to run it bu the IMB. to my knowledge they are not too interested in ems devices, but Im not an imb employee either.

A friend did a pitch about building a tens machine into a cast to prevent atrophy after a fracture but their big issue was that over time the pads became painful. you would want to be real sure they can stay still for 8-10 hours comfortably before having someone in shenzheng or somewhere make you up ten thousand of them.

I assume you have a prototype if you did a trial, have you tried sleeping with it on yourself for a month?

aidanki

LizardKing wrote: »

I need one of these ... snooze button is too easy in the mornings

so do I

D-Generate

Is there any smoke alarm for deaf people? Kind of related query but why not a similar product for deaf people but have it tied in to a smoke alarm system of some sort?

FesterBeatty

Personally I'd hate to be woken up in this way and it would probably put me in a bad mood for the day if i was..although I'd be in a bad mood anyway from the poor nights sleep I just got as a result of the annoying armband I've worn in bed all night.

I also cant see myself putting this thing on after a few pints...but that's just me!

Best of luck with it..

lee_

Very simple answer, 'no wayyyyyyy'

That was the first thing that came into my head.

'Shocking people awake, that will never become popular', that was my initial reaction.

Personally If I was to be physically woken up I would much rather be vibrated awake somehow. Maybe from a mattress or pillow vibrating rather than have something attached to my body.

You dont possibly work in Parkmore Buisness Park for BMR?

I really admire your ingenuity and desire to develop a product. This is a great place to get some feedback

Zonua

shannok2 wrote: »

1.As time passes users can become immune to alarms that they have used for long periods;

Would the user not become immune/used to the EMS?

Not sure if I would personally like it myself. Alarms are a necessity but still the idea of being woken up by an electronic impulse wouldn't appeal to me. I think I might need a lie down after the shock of being woken up like that.

I prefer the idea of the jumping alarm clocks that run around your room if you don't get up within a few minutes of the snooze (or something like that) - been meaning to get one for a year though and still haven't.

tracker-man

Here's an idea that solves ALL of the problems above

Try becoming immune to this yolk!
And to those of you who prefer a vibration wake up....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ-l5PlDa-k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQ-l5PlDa-k

nice1franko

I like this one: http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/11/alarming-ring-concept-vibrates-finger-to-wake-you-up/ ... plus it's for two people.

Maybe make one of these that's blutooth controlled so it can then be used as an alarm clock, phone, fire/burglar alarm (as previous poster suggested) etc and then *MAYBE*...

Actually, thinking more about it... I don't know if I see see a real future for it. This http://www.zdnet.com/blog/mobile-gadgeteer/is-apples-new-ipod-nano-the-perfect-geek-watch/3811 + http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/slap even with tiny improvement like b-tooth and vibration would give your close enough to your functionality to satisfy most folk - and a whole lot more besides.

Apologies for the negativity. Best of luck