Product Idea / Prototype Development

[ourcreation]

Below is a complete description of a product that I believe there may be a market for. Please give me your uncensored thoughts on the product. If you think it’s retarded and I’m an idiot, please tell me and don’t sugar coat it. I’d rather hear it from you guys than hear it in the form of tens of thousands of dollars wasted on development and manufacturing of a product that no one wants. I will not become defensive, period.

Secondly, I don’t know where to get a prototype developed. Using my description of the product below, please suggest where I could go to get one or more of the components developed.

Thirdly, if you think my idea is so awesome that you want to steal it and put it in the market before I can, go right ahead. I’d find that quite flattering.


BoxedUp

BoxedUp is a time activated safe to store car keys in for a designated amount of time set by the customer. The customer locks their keys up before drinking. This product reduces the risk of the customer drinking and driving after their judgment has been compromised through alcohol consumption


What’s The Product?
This is a small (8” x 4” x 4” or smaller) timed safe. The user sets how long they want the safe locked (1 – 24 hours) in one hour increments.

How Do You Use This Finished Product?
1) Open the safe door
2) Insert object to be locked up
3) Close door
4) Press the “Up” button until the LCD shows the desired amount of time to keep the item locked up. If the user goes over the desired amount of time to keep the safe locked, they press the “Down” button. The “Up” and “Down” buttons increase and reduce in one hour increments the amount of time to keep the safe locked up.
5) Once the user reaches the desired amount of time to keep the item locked up, they press the “Set” button twice. The lock engages and the safe is locked until the designated amount of time elapses, at which time the lock disengages and the safe can be opened.

What Components Do I Need Developed?
Listed below in bold is each component that I need developed. The bullet points below each component list the specific requirements of the component.

LCD Screen (2” x 1”)
• During the “set” phase, the LCD shows the amount of time entered by the user. Once the user presses the “Set” button twice and activated the lock, the LCD will keep a running timer on the hours and minutes left before the safe unlocks
• Beneath or next to the timer is a “Low Battery” symbol or message that only appears when the battery is low.

Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) / “Set, Up, Down” Buttons
• Set length of time to lock safe
• Communicate appropriate information to the LCD screen
• Activate locking mechanism once set
• Once the safe has been locked, the user must not be able to change any settings until the designated amount of time has expired.
• The PCBA MUST NOT be able to be reset. For example, say I set the timer for 24 hours. 3 hours pass. I pull the batteries out while there is still 21 hours left. I wait for certain amount of time and then reinsert the batteries. The timer should continue right where it left off before I pulled the batteries out (21 hours in this example).
• The product must automatically shut off if it is not “set” 10 seconds after the last input. For example, if I press the up button a couple times but I don’t “set” it by pressing the “set” button twice, the product must shut off after 10 seconds.
• The PCBA must be screwed or otherwise attached to a “buffer” slightly larger than the PCBA, as this “buffer” will be screwed into the metal backing.

Lock Mechanism
• Battery powered deadbolt. It looks something like this (you’ll need to copy and paste the link) cache.smarthome.com/images/5194a.jpg
• Must unlock when power is applied and lock when power is removed. In other words, the safe should not unlock just because I pulled the batteries out.
• Please note this lock only needs to provide moderate protection. It doesn’t need to be built strong enough to withstand large power tools, metal saws, bullets, etc. However, it should not break open just because it was thrown across the room a few times.

Battery Power
• Appropriate battery(s) (AAA, AA, C, etc.) need to be chosen to power this entire device.
• Develop battery “dock”. The whole thing where electricity is generated to power the rest of the device
• Connections to the Lock Mechanism and PCBA so they can be powered

[BusinessAdviser]

One question:

Where will this box be located? Do you plan to have them placed in bars for use by customers? Or are they for individuals to user on their own?

[kiddoso]

???

Problem #1:

- Drinker sets it for two hours. Drinker gets drunk. In two hours the door pops open. Drinker loses his car.

Problem #2:

- Drinker sets it for two hours. Drinker wants to leave after one hour. Drinker gets stuck because safe cannot be opened. Drinker ends up sticking around and gets drunk. Repeat Problem #1.

Just a couple of random things that I thought of right away. In addition I really don't understand how it reduces drinking and driving. You really need to convince us...

[Cole Taylor]

I'd say it's definitely a creative idea but I don’t see the mass appeal.

[stlsmoore]

Hmm you may have something here but it's going to be tricky to get it work exactly right and get all the kinks out like "kiddso" mentioned. Who would be your target market the people who go to the bars or the bars themselves?

[kiddoso]

???

Problem #1:

- Drinker sets it for two hours. Drinker gets drunk. In two hours the door pops open. Drinker loses his car.

Problem #2:

- Drinker sets it for two hours. Drinker wants to leave after one hour. Drinker gets stuck because safe cannot be opened. Drinker ends up sticking around and gets drunk. Repeat Problem #1.

Just a couple of random things that I thought of right away. In addition I really don't understand how it reduces drinking and driving. You really need to convince us...

Now I was assuming that it works like a locker box where it is exposed to the public. If it is a personal device where the user puts in the pocket, my last comment still holds, how does it reduce drinking and driving?

[ourcreation]

One question:

Where will this box be located? Do you plan to have them placed in bars for use by customers? Or are they for individuals to user on their own?

Individual Use.

Problem #1:

- Drinker sets it for two hours. Drinker gets drunk. In two hours the door pops open. Drinker loses his car.

Problem #2:

- Drinker sets it for two hours. Drinker wants to leave after one hour. Drinker gets stuck because safe cannot be opened. Drinker ends up sticking around and gets drunk. Repeat Problem #1.

You're absolutely right. This product is not intended for anyone that drives to a bar and drinks. This product's only useful for someone that has absolutely no intent to drive the same evening they binge. Say you intend to get shit faced at your own house. You lock up your key for 18 hours so you don't end up driving after a black out or something. If you're going out drinking with friends you lock up your key for 12 hours so you don't end up going for a drunken joy ride after your designated driver drops you off at your house at the end of the evening.

"Now I was assuming that it works like a locker box where it is exposed to the public. If it is a personal device where the user puts in the pocket, my last comment still holds, how does it reduce drinking and driving?"

This product is owned by the individual. You raise a very good point I hadn't considered. Misuse of the product. I personally can't envision any scenario where locking up your key for only a few hours makes sense; however, some customers may. Perhaps there should be a minimum length of time the safe can be locked, say eight hours?

This is a niche product intended for heavy to binge drinkers. Although I feel this product could be useful for the casual drinkers who occasionally go too far, I don't see them buying it.

[kiddoso]

I see...I was thinking about a different application. Now I understand what you are trying to do.

What do you think are the substitutes for your product?

~ Simon

[jasaunders]

It's not very expensive to get a prototype of this project. It would take a few hours of someones time. If you need help with the prototyping or design of it, let me know (I'm an electrical engineer).

[BusinessAdviser]

I just don't see this one taking off.

[akula]

i think a better solution would be for gamblers, or peeps like me who go into town to have one drink (or one game) and end up racking up $5k in credit card bills because they can't stop spending money when under the influence

[Nigami Enterprise]

Why not have this box at bar's and you place your keys inside and you can't get them out until you blow into a breathaliser which is attached to the box and will open if you are under the limit or stay closed if you are over the limit.

Personally i cant see the idea taking of so i wouldnt put to much time or money into it.

good luck