Shipping 100 hardware units in under eight weeks
18 hours ago
- #hardware
- #product-development
- #startup
- Blue is a voice assistant that uses a USB-C hardware 'hand' called Bud to interact with any app on your phone via iOS's Accessibility pointer.
- The team went from concept to 100 working units in 55 days for YC Demo Day, focusing on reliability and simplicity.
- Key features include USB HID compatibility, pass-through USB-C for charging, and a flat, grippy design for ergonomics.
- Development involved parallel workstreams, including 3D printing, firmware development, and miniaturization, with a focus on locking hard points early.
- The team prioritized one PCB, one enclosure, and one control path to ensure reliability over additional features.
- A Taiwan-based manufacturing partner played a crucial role in meeting the tight deadline through daily communication and parallel production.
- The first 100 units sold out quickly, with plans to produce ~500 units by Nov 2025, targeting users who benefit most from hands-free control.