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For those who’ve been searching for a brand new peripheral, the Rufus Cuff could also be simply be the ticket. Though it’s one thing that you simply put on in your wrist, the fellows over at Rufus Labs are fast to quip “do not name it a smartwatch, it is a wrist communicator”. As a giant fan of the online game Fallout 3, it jogs my memory loads of the Pipboy 3000, which makes me comfortable.
The Rufus Cuff debuted on Indiegogo nearly a month in the past and has since exceeded their purpose with about 18 days nonetheless left to go. Some of the fascinating components in regards to the Cuff for us is that a great deal of the prototyping was undertaken on an Airwolf 5.5 that was bought from us a couple of yr and a half in the past.
I had the chance to speak with Gabe Grifoni yesterday, the inventor of the Rufus Cuff and CEO of Rufus Labs.
There’s actually nothing like having the ability to contact, maintain, really feel and put on one thing you have printed to spec.
Mike Hulse: Hey Gabe, I do know you are extraordinarily busy together with your Indiegogo marketing campaign, so I actually admire you taking a couple of minutes to speak.
Gabe Grifoni: After all! I am comfortable to be right here, and love what you guys are doing at MatterHackers.
MH: Thanks, it is at all times thrilling for us to see individuals placing 3D printers to make use of to begin to make their concepts a actuality. First off, I simply wished to congratulate you and your staff on hitting your funding purpose.
GG: Thanks. We’re clearly fairly comfortable about it. Our staff has all labored actually laborious for over a yr now to get thus far. So to see the entire help has been wonderful.
MH: So let’s soar proper into it. The Rufus Cuff has made fairly a splash on Indiegogo not too long ago, are you able to briefly describe what precisely it’s?
GG: Certain. The smartwatch is nice, however in our minds its a stutter step to the place we now have to be. The Rufus Cuff is one thing we prefer to name a “wrist communicator.” This can be a class past the smartwatch. It is obtained the identical Z peak as most watches just like the Pebble or Samsung Gear however 3x the width. We have constructed one thing with a reimagined kind issue that is obtained a large display screen, greater battery, extra performance and the display screen actual property for full apps. We have additionally in-built health {hardware} like Accelerometer, Gyroscope and GPS so our customers can monitor all their steps, energy and miles walked with apps they’re used to love Strava and RunKeeper. And, in fact, we have made it spill and splash proof which is a should for wearable gadgets – no extra worry of checking and responding to a textual content within the rain. In-built Wifi permits it work by itself with no linked smartphone – its nice for dwelling, faculty or workplace environments to provide you full use of apps, e mail, messages, and so on… arms free and no want for a smartphone. These are the short highlights however the Rufus Cuff can do quite a bit so ensure to take a look at our indiegogo marketing campaign web page for extra particulars.
MH: That each one sounds fairly superior. So how precisely did you give you the thought?
GG: I used to be at CES in Jan 2013 and noticed just a few wearables there. I’ve at all times been excited by that sector and I had simply been ready for somebody to lastly do it proper. Nobody had and I simply thought, heck, I am going to do it myself. We will construct a greater system. I began from there and spent 4 hours on the journey dwelling from Vegas to LA conceiving the beginnings of The Rufus Cuff. As soon as I obtained again dwelling I spent just a few days sketching ideas out on my iPad and speaking to a couple pals about it – seeing in the event that they’d join the journey. Inside weeks we had a strong staff of co-founders (and nice lifelong pals) and I had taught myself CAD and acquired a 3D printer with some cash we pooled collectively in order that I may begin bodily printing wearable fashions. We went on to lift some cash from Angel buyers so we may rent an Industrial design agency, a fabrication home for board meeting/testing and we introduced on some extra actually sensible individuals to help within the engineering effort. It has been an excellent yr for our startup and we’re wanting ahead to some extra development within the coming months as we lead as much as launch.
MH: So you bought one of many first printers that we offered right here at MatterHackers almost a yr and a half in the past, an Airwolf 5.5. How did 3D printing make it simpler so that you can go from concept to prototype and manufacturing?
GG: It was a giant assist. I had by no means used CAD and by no means finished any 3D printing. I shortly discovered some fundamental CAD software program and began constructing the primary Rufus Cuff in 3D format. Getting a 3D printer was the following logical step to essentially see if the Rufus Cuff would really feel good on the arm. I will need to have spent weeks printing one refinement after one other, shaving 1mm right here and 5mm there. There’s actually nothing like having the ability to contact, maintain, really feel and put on one thing you have printed to spec. Our design was vital to us for consolation and wearability so being able to print one mannequin after one other in fairly brief order actually helped us pace up our industrial design course of.
MH: Do you ever print for enjoyable, in that case what sorts of issues do you print?
GG: When I’ve time I do prefer to print some enjoyable creations or obtain somebody’s cool information they’ve shared on-line. I’ve a extremely cool mini model of the Maltese Falcon on my desk and I did use it to print my marriage ceremony topper which got here out simply nice.
MH: That is unbelievable! As costly as marriage ceremony toppers are as of late, that is a extremely inventive and enjoyable strategy to make one. I do know you need to get going quickly, however simply to complete up, what recommendation would you give to future inventors/entrepreneurs?
GG: Do not take heed to the naysayers – they do not know any higher than you in case your concept is nice or dangerous. Educate your self something you do not know – the assets are all on the market – a keyboard away. Get pals on board with the identical ardour for what you see and construct an excellent staff. Eat Nutella. Attempt to sleep when you possibly can.
MH: I suppose we have to get some Nutella for our workplace. Laborious to go unsuitable with that recommendation. Effectively I do know it’s good to get going, so I simply wished to thanks once more for taking the time to speak, and good luck with the remainder of the marketing campaign and with the way forward for the Rufus Cuff. We’ll definitely be conserving our eye on it.
GG: Completely thanks for having me.
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