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Ask HN: Where to get help with a hardware idea?

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Ask HN: Where to get help with a hardware idea?

#1

Post by doitLP »

I’m a developer with an idea for a new type of personal device. However, my expertise is firmly on the software side.

Part of this device will involve at best some novel industrial engineering and at worst a new type of material being invented. (An analogy might be the Corning gorilla glass used in makijg the first iPhone touchscreen)

How should I go about finding someone to help me prototype the device, or understand if it’s even possible to make?

I’ve done Google scholar searches and some other limited investigations but that’s about as far as I can get on my own.

This person or firm could be a cofounder or early employee if it proves a viable idea. I just don’t know where to even start.

Any advice most appreciated.

Re: Ask HN: Where to get help with a hardware idea?

#5

Post by ChrisMarshallNY »

pcdoodle wrote: post #2

Chat GPT is somewhat accurate when asking about materials and stuff. It might help expand your vocabulary at least.

That's a pretty good idea!

AI is actually proving to be pretty good at predicting relevant searches. I was just talking to someone, last night, about how "creepily" good, the YouTube recommendation bar is (for me, at least).

Re: Ask HN: Where to get help with a hardware idea?

#7

Post by jacknews »

pcdoodle wrote: post #2

Chat GPT is somewhat accurate when asking about materials and stuff. It might help expand your vocabulary at least.

I think we need a phrase for this, like 'just google it' or 'search it up' etc. Chat-GPT-it doesn't really ring, and might be wrong if the next big model is not an openAI GPT series. AI-it?

Re: Ask HN: Where to get help with a hardware idea?

#8

Post by toyg »

jacknews wrote: post #7
pcdoodle wrote: post #2

Chat GPT is somewhat accurate when asking about materials and stuff. It might help expand your vocabulary at least.

I think we need a phrase for this, like 'just google it' or 'search it up' etc. Chat-GPT-it doesn't really ring, and might be wrong if the next big model is not an openAI GPT series. AI-it?

"Just ask the AI" / "Just ask ChatGPT"

Re: Ask HN: Where to get help with a hardware idea?

#9

Post by ly3xqhl8g9 »

jacknews wrote: post #7
pcdoodle wrote: post #2

Chat GPT is somewhat accurate when asking about materials and stuff. It might help expand your vocabulary at least.

I think we need a phrase for this, like 'just google it' or 'search it up' etc. Chat-GPT-it doesn't really ring, and might be wrong if the next big model is not an openAI GPT series. AI-it?

AIsk-it

Re: Ask HN: Where to get help with a hardware idea?

#10

Post by jacknews »

eaplant wrote: post #6

Look up an “Engineering Consulting Firm”. They’ll be able to tell you if they can help usually in an hour conversation. https://outer-space.co/ https://www.delve.com/services/engineering/electrical-softwa...

Electronics consulting is one thing, but software people probably already have a reasonable idea of what is possible/realistic in electronics.

What about, say, optical design?

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