Browse Tag: invention

Freshman wins national award for robot invention

Meghna Behari is only 15, but she already has a pending patent and a national prize for an invention that will make water testing easier.

The North Allegheny freshman won the $10,000 Marconi/ Samueli Award for Innovation for her Aquabot, an automated testing device that wirelessly collects and transmits data on water quality.

She also is one of 30 finalists in the Broadcom MASTERS — Math, Applied Science, Technology and Engineering for Rising Stars — a prestigious competition for middle school students.

Meghna, the daughter of Vanitha and Jaideep Behari of Franklin Park, developed the Aquabot last year when she was an eighth-grader at Marshall Middle School for the Covestro Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair, presented by Carnegie Science Center.

Students who place first, second or third in their category qualify for the Broadcom MASTERS, Meghna said.

She said she developed the Aquabot after “hearing about all the contamination that was happening in waterways really close to my home.”

Learning that water was being tested near her home, Meghna contacted a water quality inspector and watched him do his job. “He had this jar on the end of a large pole and he had to bring it back to the lab. And he had to do this on a weekly basis,” she said. “I thought that there had to be a better way.”

At the time, Meghna was taking a robotics class, and she created a robot to help test water quality.

“Essentially, it can detect contamination in surface water,” she said. “It can be used by anyone … and is sturdy enough to withstand field conditions if you are testing it in your local waterways.”

Meghna was one of 30 finalists who competed in October in Washington, D.C.

“I am so excited about Meghna’s success in the Broadcom MASTERS competition,” said Lisa Kosick, regional science fair director and education coordinator for Carnegie Science Center. “She is a wonderful example of the caliber of student who participates in the Covestro Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering Fair. Her effort to improve water testing impressed people locally, and it is great to see her work recognized nationally, too.”

Meghna said she wasn’t expecting to win. She plans to use part of her prize money to continue to develop the Aquabot.

“I definitely want to continue working on this project,” she said. “My goal is to keep it on the relatively inexpensive side. I hope it can be used in Third World countries eventually.”

Sandy Trozzo, freelance writer: suburbanliving@post-gazette.com.

via http://www.post-gazette.com/local/north/2017/12/08/North-Allegheny-freshman-robot-invention-wins-national-award-Meghna-Behari/stories/201712070008

Shape and Bake – it’s finally here!

When Emina Hayrula, the inventor of Shape and Bake, came to us we were immediately excited. The product was fantastic, and she trusted US to make sure it was manufactured, designed, and produced correctly.

Fast forward to March of this year – the Shape and Bake is finished! Check it out below! (click the image to see a video)

Shape and Bake

SUCCESSFUL PRODUCT – Gotta Potty!

We’d like to bring a successful product to your attention! The GOTTA POTTY! 

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The Gotta Potty System is a complete digital dog and puppy potty training solution. It is designed to correct unwanted behavior  and avoid messy accidents and property damage related to potty accidents from pets of any age. Gotta Potty. The most effective way to potty train your dog or puppy.

Once the product was ready to sell, we listed it on Amazon and it got some amazing reviews!

gottapotty_reviews

Money and Inventing….you don’t have to be afraid of it!

One of the most common questions that we receive as an inventor support company is “will I need to pay for this?” The answer, in most cases, is yes. 

Now, don’t let that detract you. As an inventor, you absolutely need to come to the conclusion that this process will cost money. Having a fantastic idea will only get you so far.

From our experience, here are a few things we’ve heard from inventors.

I have an idea, and I want to license it.

As we’ve pointed out in other articles, licensing is hard to accomplish without a working prototype, drawings, manufacturing sourced, etc. You won’t get very far with just an idea and a heartwarming pitch. You need to show the possible licencors that they will make money if they buy your product. That’s all they’re looking to do.

If you (manufacturing company) will produce my product, I will give you a portion of the proceeds from the sales.

This is highly unlikely to work. Manufacturers are typically presented with a slew of products every year, and propositions to become business partners. It just won’t happen. Manufacturers and design companies can’t rely on your product selling so they make a profit as well as break even on the cost of production.

I’ll crowdfund to make my money!

Crowdfunding before your product is feasible is a dangerous thing to do. Most successful Kickstarter and Indiegogo Campaigns have been successful due to a professionally constructed pitch. Most products that have received funding were already prototyped, tested, and manufactured in a small-run fashion. If you only take one thing away from this article today, it should be this: never attempt crowdfunding before you have the product finished.

The best option that you have is to save your money and do it right. You could finance the product through a lender (get a loan), take out a new line of credit, ask friends and family, or even take on a small part time job. If you have the passion to get it done right, don’t let your idea fall into the wrong hands. Protect yourself, save your money (and never pay up front without getting a solid plan in place with your invention production company), and live your dreams!