There is no doubt that much of our present technologies are already in digital form, especially among developed countries. Such is the case in Israel where lies a company named OTM Technologies dedicated to bringing the natural user interface to all users through their innovative product.
Dr. Opher Kinrot, PhD. Co-Founder and Co-CEO of OTM Technologies, explains in first person the whereabouts of the company and its product, how the idea of the startup started, and their current challenges. He has more than 20 years of experience in the field of optics and medical devices.
THE COMPANY
OTM Technologies is a private start-up company based in Israel, with less than 10 workers at present. Phree is our first product. Our mission is to bring natural user interface to all users – in the form of a digital pen that works on any surface and with all devices. OTM Technologies will grow to be the component supplier of choice to OEM customers who will build their versions of digital pens and other devices that use OTM’s sensors.
HOW THE IDEA STARTED
We see a future where communication with computers will be identical to communication among people. When we developed our optical tracking technology – OTM (Optical Translation Measurement) – one of the first ideas that came to mind was using it to develop a digital pen that can be used anywhere. We are using digital devices – computers, mobile phones, etc. – all our lives. Making the user interface natural and intuitive is something that is on our minds constantly.
Today developing countries – mainly in Africa but also in rural regions in Asia – have limited access to information. Bringing natural and inexpensive user interfaces to these regions will enhance their ability to connect with each other and with the rest of the world. Phree is another step in this direction, both in education and communications.
PHREE: THE ULTIMATE STYLUS SOLUTION
Consumers need to look at their usage scenarios – both ‘where’ and ‘when’ they want to use a stylus. If their main use is on the go or in the office, sitting near their table or in meetings, with a single device or using multiple devices, etc. Phree is the only solution that lets you use a stylus anywhere and with any device – not limited by the screen size or location.
Phree has the potential to become the preferred input method for VR/AR – the ‘mouse’ for virtual reality interaction. In addition, there is a large potential in education and of course as a mobile input device turning the mobile phone into a work station. Future versions/ generations may be specifically geared to these markets.
What makes Phree stand out is having a set of unique features no other device is close to offering. With Phree, you can work on all your devices anywhere. Phree will bring further usability with emerging virtual and augmented reality headsets, where touch input does not exist and there is no other accurate input device at present.
No other product on the market gives what Phree provides – writing anywhere and on any surface. The best styluses by Microsoft (Surface), Samsung (Note) and Apple (Pencil) all work only on screens. In addition, Phree works with multiple devices – you can switch from your mobile phone to tablet, laptop and TV.
THE CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS
We see professionals as part of the first users of Phree – including architects, designers, lawyers, doctors – people who gain by the ability to easily and quickly markup documents. We also see Phree as being geared to the general user like students and creatives for annotating notes in class, jotting down an idea anywhere and free sketching on the go. General users especially benefit in countries where keyboard use is limiting the input with many characters in the alphabet. Examples of languages that will greatly benefit from handwriting input with Phree are Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Arabic, etc.
Our present challenge is building our manufacturing capacity to deliver Phree to our 8000+ early backers and to go into mass production with strategic partners for general usage. Once Phree is on the market our challenge will be to lower its overall cost and move to mass manufacturing.
ADVICE TO THE YOUNG ENGINEERS
Dr. Kinrot has this to say to the young engineers: spend time learning the basics, deepening your curiosity and applying your ideas to projects that interest you and working with people who you can advance with. Your innovation, a great team and the right timing in the market can change the world and make the next successful start-up.
For more details about Phree, please visit www.otmtech.com
