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Logo design contest! Look at the end...
Who am I?
Not only am I someone with a moustache and a strong french accent ;-) , but I'm also a PhD student living in Switzerland.
I've been working on this project for a little more than a year now, produced a lot of prototypes to get the result that I am showing to you in this video.
I'm also the creator of www.limpkin.fr , so you can see that I'm very active in the open hardware initiative.
I've already commercialized some products, so it is not the first time that I embark in this kind of adventure!
What is the Toktoktok Project?
The Toktoktok project aims to create a simple, intuitive, and unified interface for all aspects of home automation. This product converts any surface into a touch sensitive input device for home automation purposes. To do so, I propose a cheap, simple-to-use and easy-to-implement box that only needs to be attached to a surface to make it sensitive to user interactions. This new technology is remarkable because it does not require specific indoor conditions to function and provides an intuitive input interface that anyone can use.
You may ask why is that useful? Well, imagine being able to control your home within arm's reach...
A Patent Free Idea!
I went to the Institute of Intellectual Property in Bern, Switzerland (where Einstein was working), and found that this idea of knock detecting boxes has not been patented.
Therefore, when this idea goes public, it falls into public knowledge and can't be patented anymore.
Everyone can then use it but also twist it!
So who is it made for and how can you use it?
Toktoktok is made for everyone, as it is so simple to implement.
But more specifically, it is particularly suited for persons having a low-mobility. So not only will you back an interesting project if you chose to do so, but you will also help elderly people to have a better everyday life.
Currently, the toktoktok system is composed of toktoktok boxes, lamp/power switching sockets and RF receivers for computers.
Therefore, it will allow you to:
- add additional switches in convenient places
- not spend 10 minutes looking for the light switch, especially if you are in the dark
- switch off all electronic devices when leaving the house
- control your computer music player from anywhere
- quickly turn off your computer (not the hard way ;) ): this is for people (like me) that like watching films from their beds....
- simplify your life...
The Impact
If successful, I'm confident that this campaign will help toktoktok to be known around the world.
I really think that if some people like one product, they will talk around them about it and therefore create a growing community of toktoktok enthusiasts.
You can be part of an initiative that may change the way people interact with their homes.
Knocking on one surface is a simple gesture that everyone is already used to!
Toktoktok logo design contest!
Here is the thing: I don't have a logo to put on the toktoktok box.
Therefore, I have decided to let people contributing to this project to propose their design.
Depending on how you contribute to the toktoktok project, you'll be able either to enter the contest or to vote for one design you like.
That's right... I will not have a say in the chosen toktoktok logo!
What I Need & What You Get
Well, I need funds to have a first batch of at least 1000 toktoktok boxes produced, as the interest on this project can only start with products actually built.
Please note that a lot of money will be used to buy the initial tooling required to get the production going. For example, the mould tooling costs 11000$.
Once the production is started, the toktoktok box price will decrease. For your information, a toktoktok box produced in a 10k batch is 3/4 the price of a box produced in a 1k quantity. So this project can only succeed if a lot of people are interested.
The finished product wil be neater than the one shown in the video above, as the production process will not be the same (from rapid prototyping to plastic injection).
Depending on your contribution, you can get presents from Switzerland (yay, chocolates!), get some toktoktok boxes, and even ask for a personalized toktoktok box.
Toktoktok and the open hardware/software initiatives
If the campaign is successfull, all the hardware and software files will be released under a TAPR open hardware license.
I know there are a lot of students out there that would like to play with toktoktok and may not have the money to buy one.
As i also want people to twist the toktoktok idea, everything will be available for you to download!
But wait, what if I dont reach this goal?
Here is what will happen. Since I can't start the project without full funding, if the campaign is not sucessfull, Indiegogo will refund the entire amount to you. So, you can support this project in full confidence. This is my promise to you and it's a risk I am taking.
Other Ways You Can Help
How can we get people interested in this project?
Please help me spread the word to friends, news papers, students and family that you think would be interested in the toktoktok project.
Thank you for reading all this and I hope to shout out your name and a big thank you on the toktoktok facebook page soon!
Created By:
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Mathieu StephanBeing used to launch complete products in the market, I will be responsible of the complete production process :)