ShadeCraft Sunflower - Internet Of Things FAIL - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2018, 01:34:18 am
content: Just the product the world has been waiting for!A $7000 Internet of Things intelligent umbrella with GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, solar power, 360 camera, and an app.Someone liked the idea so much they invested $2M in seed funding.Throw in a bunch of patents and a dodgy Wikipedia page from an Indian marketing company and we have a winner!https://liesandstartuppr.blogspot.com.au/https://www.shadecraft.com/https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/shadecrafthttps://patents.google.com/?inventor=Armen+Sevada+Gharabegian&oq=Armen+Sevada+Gharabegian&page=1

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2018, 02:42:47 am
content: This would be a perfect subject for:WIRED's new jobQuote from: EEVblog on February 23, 2018, 03:35:09 amYour objective is to get as many punters interested in it as possible - to spread the word and get traffic on the story.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2018, 09:58:14 am
content: LOL at that price. That is completely insane! As a ginger I can appreciate any form of creating shade, but something like this should not cost even remotely close to a grand let alone 7. Get rid of all the internet connected bullcrap, stick some photocells on there and use those to figure out the optimal angle. But can't get funding if you don't include all the right buzzword technologies!

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2018, 01:59:31 pm
content: And still I'd have to move my chair around during the day to be fully shaded. What's the purpose of that nonsense besides ripping off people?

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2018, 03:39:34 pm
content: (Shhh.... I'm working on plans for a caterpillar track base to handle just that situation.)

author: drussell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2018, 05:40:35 pm
content: Quote from: madires on February 24, 2018, 01:59:31 pmBesidesripping them off? That's the whole plan.Perhaps, though, Mr. Burns is involved:

author: GeorgeOfTheJungle
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2018, 08:34:23 pm
content: LOL, and weights... how much???

author: bitwelder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2018, 11:06:29 pm
content: I look at the guy in picture enjoying the shade and think...it would be fun to remotely hack the communication channel of this id-IOT-ic device(no mention of military-grade-AES256 in the specs, so probably they are not even considering the security)and begin to jerk the robo-umbrella around, to the astonishment of its owner

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2018, 12:21:23 am
content: Looks like it was designd by committee that was gender neutral, inclusive , environmentally aware .maybe tried to make it biodegradable, even edible.100 Indian jokes and thousand apology's later .who buys this stuff? the same type of people that designed it.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 25, 2018, 03:28:26 am
content: The people who buy this sort of stuff are the people who are self-centred and have so much money they don't know what to do with it.

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2018, 05:56:36 am
content: Great fun for hackers, now at the beach!

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 25, 2018, 06:12:27 am
content: "A fun day at the beach" takes on a new meaning.

author: sokoloff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2018, 06:12:43 am
content: Who wouldn't want to lug an extra 100# down to the beach?

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 25, 2018, 06:32:51 am
content: Solution: (Shown with dress skirt removed)

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 25, 2018, 08:51:02 am
content: Quote from: Brumby on February 24, 2018, 03:39:34 pm$4M funding for you sir

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 25, 2018, 09:06:34 am
content: All that other useless crap and not even the option of a drink holder attachment, ridiculous.

author: bitwelder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2018, 11:56:56 am
content: Quote from: Muttley Snickers on February 25, 2018, 09:06:34 amHey, that's just the basic model! If you want drink holders and perhaps a fan, wait for the Deluxe version.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2018, 11:59:42 am
content: Quote from: bitwelder on February 25, 2018, 11:56:56 amRight, and you need the holder with drink cooler ? Its on Special Limited Edition, only few will be made.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 25, 2018, 01:23:47 pm
content: I've just revised the caterpillar track system. It is now an independent unit - which I am calling a Flowerpad - which will have a docking mechanism to secure it to the Sunflower base. The control protocol has been rewritten to include swarm behaviour to allow multiple Flowerpads to operate in a coordinated manner. The Sunflower can sit on a Flowerpad to allow it to maintain an ideal location - and you can have your Esky sitting on top of another, to fetch your drinks.Other applications of this functionality are being investigated.I might need to push the funding up to $6M, though.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2018, 01:42:33 pm
content: And don't forget the cloud based AI for the cup holder

author: jonovid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2018, 01:58:41 pm
content: ........and add a waterseer to fill the cup with fresh drinking water from the air ....

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2018, 04:35:46 pm
content: Batterisers for the best battery life as well.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 26, 2018, 03:04:08 am
content: This is good stuff ...!(Writes feverishly)

author: MT
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2018, 12:57:34 pm
content: There are absolutely no LOL in this product, shame on you, you cheap arses! It's designed for rich(read oligarchs, etc) people which most of you failed critters are not!However it will take some Chinese child labourer to copy this in 15 minits then sold for less 100usd at nearest critter dollar store.What i want is a beachshader with inbuilt drink cooler!Applied patents however should be easy to debunk

author: PaulReynolds
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2018, 05:52:28 pm
content: Just adding the direct link to my blog on this for when it's no longer the first post:https://liesandstartuppr.blogspot.com/2018/01/iowtf.htmlNothing further I can find on this product, they did their PR blitz around CES time and seem to have gone quiet. Remember to order before March 1st though, when it goes up to $8,700!

author: schmitt trigger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2018, 06:07:04 pm
content: An optional add-on calculates UV-A and UV-B exposure, and provides sunscreen lotion with the correct SPF calculated to three decimal places.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2018, 06:50:47 pm
content: Quote from: madires on February 24, 2018, 01:59:31 pmYep. But .... you won't have to adjust the umbrella!All we need now is a sunbed with GPS and motorized wheels.Quote from: madires on February 24, 2018, 01:59:31 pmShowing off to other rich people...?I bet you could sell a few if you advertise in the right magazines.

author: ogden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2018, 07:19:57 pm
content: Quote from: MT on February 26, 2018, 12:57:34 pmExactly. There are loads of ridiculously priced luxury products, so what? Just don't buy such!This shade is bargain compared to $6,555 travel bag:http://luxurylaunches.com/fashion/louis-vuitton-creates-exclusive-travel-bags-for-the-stunning-bmw-i8.php

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2018, 07:28:32 pm
content: Quote from: ogden on February 26, 2018, 07:19:57 pmYep. If you usually shop at Luis Vuitton then your beach towel, sandals and sunglasses might cost more than this does.I bet there's hotels out there who'd buy two dozen of these umbrellas in a heartbeat.OTOH there's alotof room for improvement. An umbrella with more articulations could shade a sunbed all day long without moving the bed.

author: Skashkash
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2018, 10:39:16 pm
content: I remember walking by their (very large) booth at CES and thinking that umbrella thing was kinda cool.CES-2018Especially for someone like me who usually hides from the sun. But that was before I knew the price tag. Yikes.But if you're into those sorts of things,you're going to love this coffee robot I also saw at the show:Bubblelabs DripI can think of some easier ways to get my caffeine fix.

author: Cyberdragon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2018, 12:14:24 am
content: Wait, is this motorized?I can just see someone hacking the hell out of it making it go nuts like something from Wall-E and beating the crap out of it's user.Is there a platinum Darwin award for rich snobs?

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 27, 2018, 12:52:16 am
content: I have plans for an after market sail replacement.Each of the four panels has a flexible OLED screen, which can be configured as you like. I'm waiting for direct drive quantum dot technology to get established before further development.Going to need another $4.5M, though.

author: SgtTech
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2018, 10:38:34 am
content: Hey Dave, being down in Ultra sunny Oz you clearly need one of these!! Maybe we should crowd fund one for you? I am not sure what would be funnier your blogs on how bad the interface and setting up of your AI Shade would be or watching $7k blowing away down an Aussie beach!!Loved the video.Just a thought should it come with a warning for customers not to put in near their solar driveway?

author: SgtTech
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2018, 01:06:17 pm
content: Don't just need a holder for your tinny you need a cooler too. I am sure!! this great device could power a whole freezer full of ice cream and a fridge full of beer. Maybe you could provide a dock for your garden robot mower too and a few expansion ports for the future when the robots arrive?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2018, 01:49:38 pm
content: Quote from: SgtTech on February 27, 2018, 10:38:34 amIt probably generates more power than one of Scott Brusaw's solar frikkin panels.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 27, 2018, 02:42:23 pm
content: Bazinga!

author: Bassman59
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2018, 05:30:54 pm
content: Quote from: madires on February 24, 2018, 01:59:31 pmI see nothing wrong with separating stupid rich people from the money they inherited.

author: Red Squirrel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2018, 06:29:36 pm
content: Quote from: schmitt trigger on February 26, 2018, 06:07:04 pmI like that idea, it can use infrared to detect where people are and just squirt directly.