SquidlabsRadical Innovation

Technology Polygraph

What is a Technology Polygraph?

A Technology Polygraph rapidly identifi es solutions to

improve your products. It provides a low-commit-

ment, high-value opportunity to generate solutions

before starting on an immersive or long-term project.

Squid works with you to quickly assess rapid get-to-

market initiatives, increase profi tability and jump

ahead of your competition.

As a result of the Technology Polygraph, you will

learn which emerging technologies will create the

best results for you.

The service is performed for a fi xed fee in a short

timeframe, typically two to four weeks. The

Technology Polygraph is an inexpensive, quick way to

identify the best solution that maximizes

profi tability.

The Technology Polygraph ProcessThe Technology Polygraph Process is used to

decrease product cost, increase performance and give you the internal sales tools you need to excel.

The process includes:

• Two-Day brainstorming session

• Assessment of emerging technologies,

implementation scenarios and strategies to make

them work for you

• Review of core business markets, competitive set,

and technology best practices

• Strategies for moving insights into your pipeline

• A graphic report and PowerPoint presentation that

function as internal sales tools. The collateral

materials include:

- A written assessment of viable technologies

- Visual illustrations of technology scenarios

- Potential user experiences

• Rough prototype, if appropriate

The Solution: Radical InnovationSquid developed a radical innovation to the human

powersource that can be used in underdeveloped

areas.

In six weeks, we tore down existing mechanisms,

identifi ed functional requirements, invented and

prototyped an electro-mechanical solution,

determined its cost and proved its feasibility.

The results:

• 3X increase in performance

• Increase in durability

• Decrease in parts

• Reduction in cost

• Improvement in form factor

Case Study: Human Powered Generator

The Vision: To Close The Digital DivideThe nonprofi t organization One Laptop Per Child

seeks to close the digital divide between wealthy

and underpriveledged nations. They aim to provide

$100 laptop computers to needy school children

across the globe.

The Problem: No Feasible Power SourceThe main obstacle to the $100 laptop computer is

supplying a viable powersource in underpriveledged

nations.

Standard AC powersources cannot be used in areas

that do not have the power infrastructure to support

them.

The alternative human powersources that currently

exist are cost, energy and biomechanics ineffi cent:

they have too many parts and high rates of

operational failure in harsh conditions.

Working with the client, Squid rapidly identifi ed key

functional requirements for an ideal human

powersource:

• Must generate 20 Watts of power for sustained

periods

• BOM less than $10- Must conform to laptop budget

• Biomechanically effi cient - minimize energy waste.

• Low Noise - appropriate for classroom & home use

• Size - smaller and lighter than the laptop

• Integrated package - components should pack

small and stay together

• Robust, Field Repairable - minimize non-user

servicing/Replaceable cord

• Multi-modal operation - provide biomechanical

and situation options

Functional Requirements High-Speed Prototyping

In the fi rst week of the Technology Polygraph, Squid

built and tested several innovative power

generation mechanisms.We chose a radical solution

that simultaneously decreases cost and part count

while increasing reliability and effi ciency.

Prototype Testing

Squid’s ergonomically effi cient prototype offers a

mutli-modal user experience. The design leverages

bio-mechanics to produce a 3x increase in power

output and radically improve user endurance.

Squid’s quick electro-mechanical prototyping allows

testing of multiple design directions. This ability to

rapidly build and test enables measurable design

improvements that lead to the best innovation in the

shortest time period. This stage of the

Technology Polygraph is crucial to determing the

optimal solution.

Functional Requirements

The Innovation

Simplifi ed wind up device.

The Advantages:

• Eliminate gear stages

• Eliminate clutches

• Eliminate return springs

The Impact:

• Increased durability

• Decreased cost

• Near silent operation

• Smaller form factor

More Effi cientElectronics & Software

The Innovation

Impedence matching electronics

and software package.

The Advantages:

• Optimize power output

• Optimize load control

• Optimize load conditioning

The Impact:

• Increased effi ciency

• Increased reliability

• Decreased part count

• Multimodal interaction

More DurableMaterial Selection& Durability Testing

The Innovation

Optimal materials and parts.

The Advantages:

• Improved material selection

The Impact

• Increased abrassion resistance

• Increased reliability

Traditional fairlead

Optimized fairlead

Squid’s “big idea” is to maximize effi ciency by utilizing user strength resistance and angle of pull.

The fi nal design integrates electro-mechanical and software innovations that constantly optimize impedance match to the user.

Implementation of this “big idea” is only possible because of the rapid building and testing of improved prototypes.

Repeated prototype building and testing iterations revealed the best solution for each aspect of the fi nal design.

Squid’s multidisciplinary engineers are able to combine these different facets into one seamless solution.

Radical Innovation

More Elegant

More SimpleMechanical

iso-power lines

iso-effort lines

optim

um im

peda

nce m

atch

torque

speed

“To survive the rapid evolution in the technology sector,

companies need a vigorous infusion of innovative thinking.

Squid delivers inspired creative thinking with a passion for

demonstrating feasible solutions.”

Nicholas Negroponte, Chairman, MIT Media Lab

Big SavingsSquid created a solution that exceeds the performance of existing products on all metrics for less than 60% of the target cost.

Quick Time to MarketThe simple solution put the client on target to deliver over a million units in less than nine months.

Powerful Sales ToolsThe solution was supported by test data, high quality product visualizations and a working prototype.

These tools enabled the client to rapidly move the project forward.

High Impact

Squid Labs1467 Park AveEmeryville, CA 94608

info@squid-labs.com510.653.1643