We are truly sorry and are presently addressing all the open issues.
No they aren't. The only issue backers care about it is seeing something that works. Real hardware and an actual thermal image.
Regarding communications: our updates will become more regular as we now approach the actual release of the product.
Just like you promised before.
As with any pioneering effort: early missteps, while disappointing to us all, have shone a light on better paths. Indeed: our imager today is far more robust than when we first embarked on this journey.
So you have a robust thermal imager, great, that means it must be producing images, because, well, that's what thermal images do, and the only thing they do.
So why have you never shown a single image from any prototype including this new robust one?
With these teething pains predominantly behind us we understand that gain comes only with pain and these issues forced us to fundamentally rethink how we provide a superior product at a competitive price. We've made many, many changes including bringing in critical new resource partners who are seasoned tech implementers.
Like who?
Last year saw the Mu team test multiple sensors and specialty lenses from various manufacturers, design and engineer a good deal of our own unique hardware; architect, write and re-write the software; experiment with dozens of attachment mechanisms as well as design a lens and shutter assembly which has taken considerable cost out of the camera, while at the same time adding functionality.
Great. So where is the thermal image?
The team’s newest partner, our Industrial Design/ Mechanical Engineering lead is a perfect complement to the original team’s brilliant physics effort. He has brought to market a myriad of high-technology and consumer products. We are very close to the finish line.
Who is this person, and what products?
How do you know if your physics effort is brilliant if there is no thermal image from it? And if there is a thermal image, why haven't you shown it?
While we have made missteps, we apologize, but more importantly we are also now being held to higher standards internally. You'll see that going forward. We'll update, at the least, every few weeks.
That's very generous of you.
Here are some recent highlights:
Last month, after adopting and re-engineering the core electronics to take advantage of a terrific new sensor:
So you chose an entirely new sensor last month. That presumably would screw up everything - electronics, firmware, form factor, optics matching, housing etc. Sounds like fairly big redesign.
We achieved “First Heat” with this new sensor using our production electronics.
That means you got an image from it, great, why not show it?
On achieving this milestone: we are greatly pleased to announce that our research stage for this product has come to a close and the actual product development is quickly proceeding. It now appears we're on track to deliver cameras later this spring as we previously posted.
Umm, you're not very experienced at this production thing are you? You just admitted you changed your sensor which impacts a lot of stuff, and that development has just started to proceed again. End of spring is mid June in the US right? didn't you previously say April?
The smartphone software has been nearly complete for some time now, and we are presently verifying the histographic content of images from the production electronics
So you DO have thermal images, great!, why don't you show them?
Initial cameras are being manufactured using what is called “bridge tooling” which is in-process now. Once we receive first production articles of the electronics and the internal and housing parts, an initial run of “first article” imagers will be built and form our “Alpha” production samples, which will be purposed at field testing, evaluation and outside review. Because these initial units are actually produced via a production process virtually identical to the final production process (not prototyping): we expect the Alpha testing process to proceed rapidly.
Sorry, I lost count of the buzzwords.
This essential process will permit us to make any final adjustments to the housing elements, our firmware and of course our applications. This testing and evaluation process will also allow us to begin to share with you the impressions of the camera from people outside of our company.
So you are admitting that you won't show anything until then? Even a thermal image?
Our contract manufacturer, located just outside Chicago, after populating the electronics will be focusing, calibrating and testing products using automated fixtures of our design prior to ultrasonic sealing of the product into its housing.
Doesn't sound hackable.
At that point, the camera with the Instruction Manual, calibration report and accessories will be boxed and palletized by the same contract manufacturer, then sent to our logistics partner for shipment to customers.
Sounds like a long long way off...
As great as our technology is, there is no sensor on earth that can fully measure our appreciation for everyone’s support on this project, and we believe you will love what you see.
The only thing backers have seen in over a year is a small photo of prototype board that revealed almost nothing.
Your technology is a thermal imaging camera, and you have not shown a single thermal image from it. Sounds like your technology only exists on paper.