Former Apple engineer turned hardware startup founder, Dhaval Patel, discusses his moonshot hardware company, Lotus, which aims to turn every home into a smart home using old technology. He introduces Lotus, a wearable ring that controls home devices using infrared technology. The podcast explores market potential, challenges, funding, and the importance of vulnerability in leadership.
Lotus is a hardware startup that aims to revolutionize the smart home industry by using a wearable ring that utilizes infrared technology to control objects at home through simple gestures, eliminating the need for apps and internet connectivity.
Lotus has generated significant market interest and pilot partnerships with organizations like Veterans Affairs and the state of New York, indicating early traction and potential for widespread adoption, especially in senior living facilities due to its ability to enhance safety and autonomy for older adults.
Deep dives
Lotus: Revolutionizing Smart Homes with Wearable Technology
Lotus is a hardware startup aiming to revolutionize the smart home industry without the need for smart technology. Their patented wearable ring eliminates the use of apps and internet connectivity by utilizing infrared technology to control objects at home through simple pointing gestures. With a focus on accessibility, Lotus is targeting the 27 million people with limited mobility, such as soldiers, older adults, and disabled individuals. The $335 billion market for smart homes remains largely untapped, and Lotus aims to bridge this gap by providing an easy and affordable solution for anyone to transform their home into a smart home.
Installation and Functionality of Lotus's Wearable Ring
Lotus's wearable ring is designed for easy installation and use. It can be attached to existing wall switches magnetically, eliminating the need for complicated rewiring or internet connectivity. The ring utilizes infrared technology, similar to a TV remote, allowing users to control various objects in their home, including lights, fans, and appliances, through simple point-and-click gestures. The low power consumption of the ring ensures long battery life, with only a quarterly charging requirement. Lotus aims to provide a comprehensive package of one ring and four switches at a competitive price in comparison to other smart home options.
Market Interest and Pilot Partnerships
Lotus has generated significant market interest with 14 pilot partnerships established within just 30 days. These pilot partnerships include collaborations with organizations such as Veterans Affairs and the state of New York, demonstrating early traction and potential for widespread adoption. Notably, senior living facilities have expressed strong interest in Lotus's technology due to its ability to enhance safety and autonomy for older adults. The reduction in falls and associated liabilities in such facilities makes Lotus an attractive solution.
Fundraising and Future Plans
Lotus is seeking to raise $2 million in order to move from prototype to production and further develop their revolutionary product. The funds will be allocated towards salaries, manufacturing, and additional working capital. The team has already raised $425,000, including commitments from investors on the show. Furthermore, Lotus is exploring partnerships and potential investors to further accelerate their growth and successfully bring their product to market within the next nine months.
Despite a decade in engineering at Apple, Dhaval Patel didn’t have any smart technology in his home. So he designed a ring that converts every home into a smart home – using old technology found in your typical TV remote. But hardware startups are extremely difficult to get off the ground and many VC’s avoid investing in them altogether. Can Dhaval convince our investors that his 10 prototype rings will turn into a 10 billion dollar business?
To learn more about Dhaval's hardware startup, Lotus, and the investors featured on this episode, check out the Lotus show page. If you want to go deeper on each company featured on the show, subscribe to our newsletter The Pitch Insider.
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