If you happen to’ve been on the lookout 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 an enormous fan of the online game Fallout 3, it jogs my memory a number of the Pipboy 3000, which makes me completely satisfied.
The Rufus Cuff debuted on Indiegogo nearly a month in the past and has since exceeded their objective with about 18 days nonetheless left to go. One of the crucial attention-grabbing elements concerning 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 few yr and a half in the past.
I had the chance to talk 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 recognize you taking a couple of minutes to talk.
Gabe Grifoni: In fact! I am completely satisfied to be right here, and love what you guys are doing at MatterHackers.
MH: Thanks, it is all the time thrilling for us to see folks 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 group on hitting your funding objective.
GG: Thanks. We’re clearly fairly completely satisfied about it. Our group has all labored actually laborious for over a yr now to get up to now. So to see all the assist has been superb.
MH: So let’s soar proper into it. The Rufus Cuff has made fairly a splash on Indiegogo just lately, 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 have now to be. The Rufus Cuff is one thing we prefer to name a “wrist communicator.” It is a class past the smartwatch. It is acquired the identical Z top as most watches just like the Pebble or Samsung Gear however 3x the width. We have constructed one thing with a reimagined type issue that is acquired a large display screen, greater battery, extra performance and the display screen actual property for full apps. We have additionally inbuilt health {hardware} like Accelerometer, Gyroscope and GPS so our customers can observe 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 related smartphone – its nice for residence, college or workplace environments to provide you full use of apps, e mail, messages, and so forth… fingers free and no want for a smartphone. These are the short highlights however the Rufus Cuff can do loads so be certain to take a look at our indiegogo marketing campaign web page for extra particulars.
MH: That every one sounds fairly superior. So how precisely did you give you the concept?
GG: I used to be at CES in Jan 2013 and noticed a number of wearables there. I’ve all the time been concerned about 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 are able to construct a greater gadget. I began from there and spent 4 hours on the experience residence from Vegas to LA conceiving the beginnings of The Rufus Cuff. As soon as I acquired again residence I spent a number of days sketching ideas out on my iPad and speaking to some buddies about it – seeing in the event that they’d join the experience. Inside weeks we had a stable group of co-founders (and nice lifelong buddies) and I had taught myself CAD and purchased 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 traders so we may rent an Industrial design agency, a fabrication home for board meeting/testing and we introduced on some extra actually good folks to help within the engineering effort. It has been a fantastic yr for our startup and we’re wanting ahead to some extra progress 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 an enormous assist. I had by no means used CAD and by no means finished any 3D printing. I shortly realized some primary CAD software program and began constructing the primary Rufus Cuff in 3D format. Getting a 3D printer was the subsequent logical step to actually see if the Rufus Cuff would really feel good on the arm. I should 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 quick order actually helped us velocity up our industrial design course of.
MH: Do you ever print for enjoyable, if that’s the 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 very 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 improbable! As costly as marriage ceremony toppers are today, that is a very inventive and enjoyable solution to make one. I do know it’s important 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 sweet or dangerous. Train your self something you do not know – the sources are all on the market – a keyboard away. Get buddies on board with the identical ardour for what you see and construct a fantastic group. Eat Nutella. Attempt to sleep when you’ll be able to.
MH: I suppose we have to get some Nutella for our workplace. Arduous to go mistaken with that recommendation. Properly I do know you have 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 preserving our eye on it.
GG: Completely thanks for having me.