CLIENT:
OhmniLabs
Project:
[ongoing] Blog Posts
Topic:
3D Printing
3D Printing is a manufacturing process that creates a three dimensional object by incrementally adding material until the object is complete.
(source: DigitalTrends)
When OhmniLabs was founded, one of the main goals was to reinvent the traditional robotics development process. We wanted to build a hardware company that was more like a software company in terms of flexibility and iteration speed. By building our Ohmni bot in-house with 3D printers, we've established a scalable lean manufacturing process. This helps us to solve manufacturing problems as soon as they come up and helps us to keep the cost of Ohmni down.
Here are a few tech tidbits about 3D Printing you might not have known!
It’s been around since the 80s!
(source: 3D Printing Industry)
Many people would be surprised to learn that 3D Printing can be traced back all the way back to the 1980s! Back then, it was referred to as Rapid Prototyping Technology. The first patent for Rapid Prototyping Tech was filed in May 1980, by Dr. Kodama in Japan. Due to missed deadlines for patent paperwork, the application wasn’t filed. Fast forward to 1986, Charles Hull successfully patented the stereolithography apparatus (SLA). Stereolithography is one of the several ways to print in 3D (source: LiveScience). Through Hull’s SLA, liquid plastics would be converted in to solid objects.
You can buy 3D Printers off Amazon, too.
(source: 3D Insider)
Yes, 3D printers are not just for businesses or tech companies. They are becoming more and more available to regular consumers. While we don’t recommend buying a printer without doing research behind the processes of 3D Printing, they’re available on Amazon -- just in time for Amazon Prime Day! Prices vary, depending on the brand.
Printing in 3D is said to smell like waffles!
(source: ALA TechSource)
While waffles are delightful for the nose buds, there’s actually a scientific reason behind it. It only happens when using Polylactic Acid (PLA) when printing. It is the second most popular printing material when printing in 3D. It is a bioplastic, a biodegradable material that comes from renewable sources (source: ActiveSustainability) made from corn, beets, or potatoes. Because it is a bioplastic, when it is heated, it smells like waffles or syrup! It’s important to note that while there are no medical issues linked with the smell of heated PLA, the study of plastics in 3D printing is young.
CLIENT:
OhmniLabs
Project:
[ongoing] Blog Posts
Topic:
Background on Company Name
Behind the "Ohm"
When you first hear “ohm”, you may first think of the mantra being chanted at the beginning and the end of yoga sessions. What you may not have know is that there are also other meanings attached to this word. Not surprisingly, each meaning fits well into our name: OhmniLabs!
Definitions
- in Meditation -- This comes from Hinduism and Buddhism. It is considered to have high spiritual and creative power.
- in Science -- This is a unit of electrical resistance between two points of a conductor when a constant potential difference of one volt.
- in Latin -- "Omni", The ROOT-word is MONI which comes from the Latin omnis meaning ALL.
OhmniLabs
When OhmniLabs was founded, one of the main goals was to reinvent the traditional robotics development process. We wanted to build a hardware company that was more like a software company in terms of flexibility and iteration speed.
Looking at all three definitions, it's easy to see why "Ohm" and "Omni" is the base of our company's name! Especially, with "Omni" -- our goal with Ohmni was to ensure accessibility for families and loved ones, anywhere in the world!
P.S. Our team members from Vietnam would also like to add that "Ohm" sounds very similar to "hug" in Vietnamese!
CLIENT:
OhmniLabs
Project:
[ongoing] Blog Posts
Topic:
Product Feature
OHMNI CALL MODES
Today, being anywhere in the world is as easy as picking up your phone or opening your laptop. We know this because that's how easy it is to use Ohmni. We understand that while accessibility is convenient, there should be some barriers for the sake of privacy and security.
Keeping this concept in mind, our OhmniLabs Team made it a key feature in the development of Ohmni. The solution our team came up with were 2 Call Modes (and more in progress!):
- Drop In — This is the default Call Mode used by Ohmni. Callers will have the ability to call and connect, but they will be announced through Ohmni's speakers. This is similar to someone having a key to your house. Upon entering, they will make their presence known.
- Do Not Disturb — This option must be manually selected, as well as manually turned off. This setting will alert callers that Ohmni is not accepting calls.
At the moment, these call modes were put into place for the privacy of those who have Ohmni in their homes. Stay tuned as our team works to implement more Call Modes throughout our updates.
Click the button below to read more on Ohmni Features:
CLIENT:
OhmniLabs
Project:
[ongoing] Blog Posts
Topic:
Partnership Announcement
Nvidia Inception Program
We're excited to announce that OhmniLabs has been accepted into Nvidia's Inception Program!
Nvidia is best known for their GPUs (graphic processing units) made for gaming and professional markets. By launching the Nvidia Inception Program, they will be partnering up with startups with their resources -- such as their GPUs, insight and support during product development and prototyping, and training with deep learning experts. This program is focused on helping startups with growing their brand, business, and product.
OhmniLabs x Nvidia
By partaking in this program, startup businesses and and their products, such as Ohmni, Nvidia's hardware and resources become available! This means we have the opportunity to take telepresence to the next level. We will have the chance to look into adding additional features to Ohmni. For example, our team can being to prototype and deploy assistive driving and autonomy to Ohmni! The possibilities are endless!
A key part of the program is that by being a part of this program, Ohmni will get a custom set of benefits to help move our projects / ideas along. This means our team will receive personalized support, ranging from hardware grants, marketing support, and training with deep learning experts!
CLIENT:
OhmniLabs
Project:
[ongoing] Blog Posts
Topic:
Competition Announcement
OhmniLabs Wins the AARP Innovation Labs Caregiving Pitch Competition!
OhmniLabs is the winner of the Silicon Valley AARP Innovation Pitch Competition! But, this was just a stepping stone. As winners, we will continue on to the final event taking place in Washington, DC this October. There, we will be competing as finalists for the AARP Innovation Labs Competition!
Companies who were chosen for this competition are companies whose goal is to provide peace of mind to families and caregivers through the innovative use of technology, whether it be VR, AI, or anything in-between. Each company was given a chance to pitch their piece of technology to the audience during the event. In order to win, audience members were required to vote for the technology of their choice.
For our pitch, we provided information on the aging population and the challenges being met in senior care. One key topic noted was that the aging population is increasing, but with a lack of care and increase in cost of care. OhmniLabs tackles all those problems by providing technology that is easy to use (and affordable!) for both seniors and those who are checking in on them.
Our OhmniLabs team understands that there is a gap between seniors and tech. We are honored that our Ohmni Robot was chosen as a solution to close that gap.
CLIENT:
OhmniLabs
Project:
[ongoing] Blog Posts
Topic:
Article Feature Coverage
Ohmni Featured as a Robot Roommate by FamilyCircle
With technology evolving on a daily basis, the learning curve is growing larger and larger between the elderly and the younger generation. We are proud that our Ohmni robot is part of FamilyCircle’s recent coverage on technologies that are helping the elderly live independently, and bringing generations closer by bridging the technology gap.
Featuring Maxine Duncan, 87, and Bert Yarbrough, 90, the article notes how their new Ohmni robot (nicknamed Jimmy) has become their unexpected roommate after moving into The Heritage Downtown retirement community in Walnut Creek, California. Jimmy the Ohmni now allows their 5 adult children to connect and visit with their parents by controlling and navigating the bot around their house.
The generation that Maxine and Bert belong to have an inherent trust embedded in the hardware of a product. Ultimately, that is where the learning gap is established - by trusting the mechanics and engineers behind the hardware, there is no need in understanding the technology behind it. In contrast, Maxine and Bert’s children belong to a generation where handling technology comes natural.
By focusing on the needs of the elderly, and understanding the capabilities of the younger generation, Ohmni has created a solution to the technological learning gap: by giving the hardware to the elderly, and giving the technology to the younger generation. With the technology in the hands of Bert and Maxine’s children, the stress of figuring out how to work Jimmy is no longer a stressor. In actuality, the only stressor present is when the kids are controlling Jimmy around the house to find their parents!
Visit us at www.ohmnilabs.com to order your Ohmni robot today!