Do you have an amazing idea for a new product or device but you don’t really know where to start? In this article, we will tell you 3 big reasons to get a hardware prototype.
When it comes to launching new devices in the market, consumers usually think the process is really simple. For instance, they imagine a company that designs a product, and sends it immediately to another company for manufacturing. However, the process is longer than that.
If you are a startup or CEO of a company, you must understand that a hardware prototype will ensure you don’t lose thousands of dollars in developing a bad product.
What is a hardware prototype?
Hardware prototyping is a piece of technology or device that is built according to certain specifications and technical requirements to test if it can solve a need or problem.
The hardware prototype will serve as a sample for potential investors and potential customers. In the first case, there can be funding if the device seems to be attractive enough for being manufactured and launched into the market. And second, the potential customers will provide feedback on the prototype and how willing they are to purchase it once it is ready.
Hardware prototyping benefits
The 3 solid reasons for hardware prototyping are: Discovery, failure and learning, and hardware improvement.
1. Discovery
At DeepSea Developments, we like to start with a PoC (see proof of concept phase); once we explain to our customers what it is, they immediately ask for this hardware prototype. This step is recommended when you want to confirm if your new business idea can really solve a problem of a specific niche.
So, what is a POC? It is a proof-of-concept prototype that serves as an early-stage prototype of a product. A hardware prototype like this may not function identically or look like your final product.
If you are in the process of hiring hardware development service, the best you can do is start with a proof of concept. This guarantees the hardware prototyping process starts on the right foot since a PoC will confirm the potential of your business idea.
If the PoC is successful, you can move on to a more complex hardware prototype (functional one, or one that lets you test it with potential investors or customers).
On the other hand, if the POC proves your business idea is not good enough to solve a need in the market. You will save thousands of dollars in future developments or product manufacturing.
2. Failure and learning – key in hardware prototyping
Startups understand the importance of entering the market fast and with a good product. And we could say the same applies to prototyping hardware.
The faster you can confirm your product or hardware needs some iterations (see rapid prototyping), the better chances you get to build a successful prototype or MVP (Minimum Viable product meaning).
We have worked with many proof of concepts of different clients, and when we start building the hardware prototype, we find different obstacles or opportunities to make it better.
Thanks to a good prototype, even if it is not fully functional, you can realize if the features you are thinking of adding to your hardware device are good or bad.
You may need several iterations of your hardware prototype until you get an acceptable version for being presented as a Minimum Viable product (if you are working with good prototype companies). Then, the next step is MVP testing, that way you can get useful feedback on your prototype.
3. Hardware prototype improvement
Another solid reason for getting hardware prototyping is that you can improve your original idea or device. When engineers have been working for several hours on a specific project, they identify flaws in the design and then start finding different ways to improve the hardware, also, they can make a better electronics product design that interacts with ease with the different components of the device.
Don’t expect to get in the first iteration a hardware prototype that will immediately perform well and without bugs. Through scrum methodology (that is the methodology we use at DeepSea Developments), we obtain incremental improvements that guarantee the hardware prototype will reach its best version in a short period.
Hardware prototype development with DeepSea Developments
We have helped customers that arrive with a poorly designed hardware prototype, or that was initially built with a technology that is already outdated.
Our engineering team can perform reverse engineering, analyzing every aspect of the hardware, such as PCB (see prototyping circuit boards), chips, microcontrollers, and IoT sensors. We also provide high-quality firmware consulting for startups and SMBs in the US.
Thanks to the solving capabilities of our team, we have managed to help clients in over 4 countries to successfully design and develop their hardware prototypes, which have helped them take their business to the next level.
Get in contact with DeepSea Developments if you are interested in hardware prototyping, we are top electronic product developers that deliver outstanding results.
