Client: Adobe

Product: Project Mighty 2013

Summary

Adobe is envisioning the future of drawing. Adobe's experience design team realized that a combination of tablet and pen could not only bring back the experience of working with pen and paper, but potentially even improve on the experience. To explore this, Adobe worked closely with MindTribe to evaluate and develop the potential of a connected pen for tablets. A tight fit between hardware and software was crucial to this effort. Multiple rounds of functional prototypes and user testing led to the rapid development of the Mighty concept and its core features. Historically a software company, Adobe also leveraged MindTribe’s experience developing consumer hardware to provide the perspective needed to evaluate technical risk and potential business cases. The results demonstrate Adobe’s commitment to bringing natural drawing back to the creative process. Project Mighty was demonstrated during the Keynote Presentation at Adobe’s MAX 2013.

Key Roles

  • consumer electronics hardware development perspective and guidance
  • electrical engineering architecture and implementation
  • firmware architecture and implementation
  • mechanical architecture and implementation
  • concept technical development and refinement
  • custom API development on iOS
  • Bluetooth LE implementation
  • design for manufacturability

Product

Cloud connected pen for tablets with fine pressure sensitivity optimized for natural drawing

Client: Adobe

Product: Project Napoleon Digital Ruler 2013

Summary

As part of Adobe’s exploration of bringing natural drawing back into the creative process, MindTribe was asked to look into implementing a straightedge on a tablet. With little more than that to go on, MindTribe’s team explored and developed an initial physical prototype, including an accompanying tablet app with basic functionality, in a matter of days. Fast rounds of functional prototyping enabled stakeholders to experience this concept firsthand, resulting in a rapid synthesis of new ideas. French curve, protractor, and shape template functions were quickly implemented and evaluated through hands-on testing. Continued explorations and refinements resulted in the concept prototype which Adobe demonstrated during the Keynote Presentation at Adobe MAX 2013.

Key Roles

  • concept technical exploration and development
  • rapid functional prototype development
  • custom iOS App development

Product

Smart drawing tool for use with tablet and pen

Client: ApniCure

Product: Winx ® Sleep Therapy System 2011

Summary

ApniCure is a medical device start up with a new concept for treating sleep apnea without the encumbrance of traditional CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) masks. Working in close collaboration, MindTribe architected and implemented the electrical and firmware design for ApniCure’s Winx, which is intended for home and clinical use. Key activities included the development of novel sensors and enabling the refinement of the final product specification and ID through multiple rounds of prototyping, review and user testing.

Key Roles

  • electrical engineering architecture and implementation
  • firmware architecture and implementation
  • concept technical development and refinement
  • design for manufacturability

Product

Compact, bedside sleep apnea treatment device for home and clinical use

Client: BMW Technology Office

Product: BMW Apps and MINI Connected 2011

Summary

BMW anticipates a need for agility in automotive environments to keep up with the rapid evolution of consumer smartphone features. To meet this need, MindTribe and BMW worked together to architect a new head unit software platform that rapidly integrates smartphone innovations into the automotive user experience. Focusing on Apple’s iOS first, we helped develop a distributed architecture that decouples BMW’s dependencies upon vendor components, allowing BMW to accommodate rapid change.

Key Roles

  • iOS accessory protocol stack development
  • Communication architecture design and development
  • Hardware component mocking for agile software development

Product

BMW Apps and MINI Connected

Client: OnLive

Product: Console 2009, 2010

Summary

OnLive was aggressively preparing to unveil their innovative gaming platform at an upcoming tradeshow, and partnered with MindTribe to help convert the industrial design into reality. MindTribe worked closely with OnLive and local model makers on two separate engagements to transform their concept into high-polish trade show models that were fully functional.

Key Roles

  • thermal design and analysis for production design
  • low-volume, high-touch, prototype package design
  • mechanical surfacing and modeling from ID concept
  • mechanical-electrical integration
  • gradient-printed decal co-design

Product

Set-top box gaming console

Client: Synaptics

Product: Touchscreen Demo Units 2011

Summary

Synaptics is a market leader in touch technologies, and needed to showcase their recent offerings at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. MindTribe developed multiple modular mechanical platforms that simulated real tablet-type devices to show off the touch technology in an attractive form-factor, durable enough to withstand the rigors of the world’s largest electronics show.

Key Roles

  • plastic enclosure mechanical engineering
  • optimization for CES 2011 demo
  • fast turn-around from concept to realization

Product

Tradeshow prototype to show off touch screen technology

Client: NovaShunt

Product: Implanted Pump 2008

Summary

NovaShunt saw an opportunity to improve the quality of life for those suffering from peritoneal ascites fluid accumulation resulting from liver disease, congestive heart failure, and certain cancers. MindTribe’s engineering team worked closely with the medical staff at NovaShunt to design an implanted pump, and participated actively in the required in vivo trials to prove out the device. This effort required custom pump design, optimized inductive power delivery systems, and robust RF communications, as well as extensive testing and analysis.

Key Roles

  • electrical engineering
  • firmware engineering
  • mechanical engineering
  • inductive charger design
  • RF design

Product

Implanted pump and transcutaneous charger for treatment of liver disease symptoms

Client: Willow Garage

Product: Ethernet Camera 2009

Summary

Willow Garage wanted to use an Ethernet-based camera in their new PR2 robot platform’s forearm, but none sufficiently small could be found. MindTribe worked with their mechanical and optical engineers to create a tiny camera that was so successful it was deployed in numerous other sites in the PR2.

Key Roles

  • electrical engineering
  • full PCBA design and fabrication
  • FPGA design with softcore processor
  • FPGA-embedded firmware engineering

Product

A tiny Ethernet camera for use in an open source robot.

Client: Tesla Motors

Product: Tesla Roadster 2008

Summary

Tesla Motors was founded with an ambitious vision - to draw the nascent, road-going electric car out of the shadows and into people's minds and garages as a no-compromises electric car. The idea was to create an iconic electric vehicle without making concessions to performance, style, or comfort. While Tesla started with a clear vision, they did not have a full engineering team. MindTribe joined forces with Tesla to create a full engineering team to get development of the production vehicle on a fast track to production.

Key Roles

MindTribe performed mechanical and electrical engineering to transition core vehicle systems from prototype designs into production-ready systems suited for use in the production vehicle.

Product

High performance electric vehicle

Client: Pure Digital

Product: Flip Mino 2008

Summary

Pure Digital’s vision was to create the smallest product possible without compromising desired functionality and performance. MindTribe’s highly optimized and densely integrated design realized a 40% reduction in product volume. MindTribe’s engineering activities addressed the desired compact form factor, capacitive touch-sense controls, a rechargeable power solution, implementation of a DSP-based camera-on-chip solution, as well engineering for an enclosure reflecting mino’s updated look and feel.

Key Roles

  • mechanical engineering
  • electrical engineering
  • firmware (hardware touch-points)
  • design for manufacturability
  • off-shore production support

Product

affordable, easy-to-use video camera that fits in your pocket and makes sharing video a breeze

Client: Jawbone

Product: Jawbone Headset 2006

Summary

MindTribe supported Jawbone with developing a Bluetooth version of their award-winning, noise cancellation headset. MindTribe worked closely with Jawbone’s industrial design team, Fuseproject, and an overseas ODM partner. With strict adherence to the ID vision, MindTribe performed mechanical engineering and design for manufacturability (DFM) to transition from prototype to a manufactured design. MindTribe managed production of the device, resolving issues related to manufacturability, fit and finish, and product packaging.

Key Roles

  • mechanical engineering
  • design for manufacturability
  • production management

Product

Bluetooth headset with background noise cancellation

Client: BMW Technology Office

Product: Visual Messaging System 2002

Summary

BMW developed the Visual Messaging System (VMS) to increase communications effectiveness and safety with Formula 1 drivers. Using the VMS, the pit crew can display one of 20 pre-defined icons to the driver. Guided by a functional specification provided by the Technology Office, MindTribe developed a VMS controller consisting of hardware to communicate with the car’s telematics system, and a PC-based application to send images to the helmet from the pit area.

Key Roles

  • electrical engineering
  • firmware
  • PC application
  • mechanical design

Product

in-helmet display for F-1 drivers

Client: BMW Technology Office

Product: Visual Park Distance Control 2003

Summary

The Park Distance Control (PDC) system available on current BMWs helps drivers judge the distance to hard-to-see obstacles. During parking maneuvers, an audible beep sounds. Based on a specification and direction from BMW, MindTribe developed a prototype visual PDC controller—feedback was provided visually with a row of LEDs inside the car between the rear window and door, instead of audibly. The system was well received in Munich at BMW headquarters as a viable embodiment of park distance control systems of the future.

Key Roles

  • electrical engineering
  • firmware

    • Product

    visual park distance system

Client: Flow International

Product: Dynamic Contour Follower 2004

Summary

Flow needed a way to increase the speed, range, and accuracy of cutting a wide range of materials with their line of water jet cutters. They devised a system which followed the contour of the material being cut so that the cutting machine could automatically adapt to changing conditions during a cut. MindTribe developed a microprocessor-enabled electronic system to control the contour follower mechanism. The system enables faster, more complex, and more accurate performance than previously possible from water jet cutting machines.

Key Roles

  • electrical engineering
  • firmware
  • PC application
  • mechanical design

Product

position control system

Client: Gyration

Product: Gyro Remote 1999

Summary

MindTribe wrote the firmware, prototyped electronics, and developed test tools for the Gyro Remote. The Gyro Remote is powered by a Motorola 6805 processor, and strict timing requirements ensure smooth and bullet-proof operation. A high degree of assembly-level code optimization was required to meet aggressive speed and memory space requirements. The product was later adapted for use as a home media system controller, a remote for an LCD projector, and a desktop version.

Key Roles

  • electrical engineering
  • firmware
  • manufacturing line tools

Product

gyroscope-enabled computer mouse

Client: Synaptics

Product: Onyx 2006

Summary

Having worked with Synaptics to integrate their touchpad technology on a number of projects, MindTribe was chosen to bring a next-generation phone concept to life to show off Synpatics’ clear, capacitive touch technology. MindTribe designed the electronic hardware driving the device and with the exception of the Flash interface, all software aspects of the device as well. Challenges included managing thermal and physical constraints associated with packaging a device in a very compact form factor.

Key Roles

  • electrical engineering
  • firmware
  • system integration

Product

next generation cell phone prototype