.png)
On this page (9 sections)
Challenge
The team had a validated idea but no hardware engineers, and needed long battery life and reliable connectivity.
Budget and time were limited, so every prototype round needed clear goals.
Solution
We designed the hardware and firmware, built prototype rounds for field trials and refined power consumption before a pilot batch.
Each prototype round focused on specific questions, keeping costs under control.
Outcome
The start-up moved from concept to pilot units with one partner and continued into production.
With proven hardware and firmware, the start-up could focus on customers and growth.
What made it work
Clear goals for each prototype round kept costs under control, and having one partner for design and manufacturing avoided a hand-off before production.
Regular reviews kept the founders informed and in control of key decisions.
Project scope
The project covered requirement definition, microcontroller and radio selection, PCB design, firmware for sensing and communication, enclosure integration, prototype builds and a pilot batch.
Each element was developed in-house, avoiding hand-offs between suppliers.
Key decisions
Choosing a low-power radio and optimising sleep cycles extended battery life. Designing with available components avoided supply delays.
These choices balanced performance, cost and availability.
Lessons for other start-ups
Define what each prototype must prove, budget for more than one round and plan production testing early.
A structured plan helps start-ups use limited funds effectively.
Services involved
ODM design, embedded firmware, PCB design, rapid prototyping and pilot manufacturing.
Each of these services was managed by the same project team, which kept communication simple and decisions consistent from start to finish.
Could this work for you?
If you have a validated idea but no hardware team, ODM can take you from concept to product with one partner.
Contact us with a short description of your situation and we will suggest an approach, timeline and indicative cost.