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2024 is already shaping up to be a banner year for innovation. With our team fresh off a trip to CES, there are a ton of innovations on the horizon, from AI accessories to automotive innovations. While we think some of these are just in their infancy, it's our job to help companies harness the potential of these amazing technologies and make them more than just proof of concept.

How might we see these innovations gain adoption? Diffusion of innovation theory shows us how new technologies have to undergo a process before they can be widely accepted by the masses. There's an initial excitement, and then a gap before technologies reach full maturity. Sometimes this can be hard to get over — you need an innovative product, a well-engineered solution, and a platform to get your amazing invention out to people. Practicing your creativity is one way, but it also helps to keep an eye on the current hottest products and understand where they stand in the broader horizon of tech inventions.

Member Feature: Chris Fortunato

To support Eight Sleep’s R&D efforts, we put electrical engineer Chris Fortunato on the job.

Chris is a musician, songwriter, DIY music video-chronicler, and freelancer based in south Philadelphia. One of Chris’ strengths is that he uses his creative perspective to solve complex problems. Chris can help take your idea through the entire process, from ideation to manufacturing, offering an engineering perspective on your vision. He worked with Eight Sleep to develop their new experimental product line through rapid prototyping, hand assembly of prototypes, custom-designed aluminum LED PCBs for heat dissipation, and a Wi-Fi controlled GUI that allows the user to change settings on the fly.

Hire Chris and others like him

Client Feature: EightSleep

People sleep less now than they have at any other time in the last century. Poor sleep quality negatively impacts our physical and mental health. Eight Sleep is on a mission to fuel human potential through optimal sleep. Their product The Pod is a sensor layer that heats and cools the temperature of your bed throughout the night — based on your sleep stages and other factors. Their unique design allows people sharing a bed to have completely different temperature profiles.

Eight Sleep first came to us for help rapidly prototyping a new product back in 2021. Informal initially supported the Eight team with electronics and firmware development and we’re currently supporting them with mechanical and product design engineering for their next generation of products.

Check out EightSleep

Community & Blog

Informal cofounder Nate Padgett was recently interviewed by Makelab to discuss his experiences building a freelance collective and global community for hardware professionals.
If you want to get your hardware seen by millions, there's no better way than pitching on Shark Tank. Check out these tips that have landed our clients on national television.
Kat Zhembrovska is the force behind our online presence and an amazing resource for informal clients looking to grow their presence online. Check out this profile of our social media maverick.
Writer Mike Lo knows how challenging it is to get promising new tech out of the lab and into the hands of customers, especially without the right leadership. In his latest installment of Bridging The Valley, Mike helps startups coming out of academia find the right CEO for success.

Upcoming Events

After our very successful Hardware House Party at CES, we’re ready for another year of meeting hardware enthusiasts around the world!
Check out SolidWorks 3D Experience World, February 10–14 in Dallas, Texas.
While you're there, don’t miss the AI + Hardware Innovation Celebration at the Dallas Hardware Meetup on February 12.
In LA, don’t miss our next Hardware Happy Hour with Onshape on February 15.

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