Technology has worked wonders. From smart phones to tablets, everything seems to have become easier and interactive at the highest levels. As we step into the future of smart devices, a few talented minds have brainstormed and have decoded technology that could shape the way the world would work.
Sunil Vallath, CEO, Exploride. Photo: FacebookMeet Sunil Vallath, CEO of Exploride. Exploride is a firm, registered under the StartUp Village, that specializes in transparent display boards for cars. The company has its operations spread across the USA and India. Just eight months into its conception, the idea of transparent display boards has been well received by the automobile market.
Sunil, a computer science engineer, had worked in several multi-national corporations for over five years. Having explored various work environments as well as experimenting with different types of hardware and software, he along with a few associates started the company.
The pros and cons
As Sunil rightfully claims, Exploride's transparent display screens are likely to be the future of automobile industry. The product targets automobile enthusiasts and b-segment automobiles.
This product showcases everything a driver would like to know while travelling from point A to point B. Any information regarding directions, weather, email notifications etc. are available by means of a voiced notification system controlled by the mechanism that is responsive to various waves of the hand.
Then again, the mechanism is also one of the greatest drawbacks of the product. Exploride is also yet to consider the option of hanging the device in the car.
The strategy
Rahul Aggarwal, VP - Design (left) and CEO of Exploride Sunil VallathSunil and his team have approached various automobile companies including Mahindra. They hope to work with the company in the initial stages and would eventually branch into a new company as work progresses. The ground work for the product has commenced in the USA while in India they are yet to begin operations. The product is however functional in some of the high-end cars such as BMW and Jaguar. Thus, Exploride would have to work towards beating the competition.
The StartUp experience
"It has been a wonderful experience," said Sunil. "Earlier, I was doing a job. I did not like the monotony. This company, along with the support of the StartUp Village has been great. It does not feel like a job. I love what I do no matter how long I have to work. For a person like me who hails from a middle class family, being associated with the StartUp Village has been amazing. I was able to interact with many established and famous people including the Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. The interaction has helped me grow. I have no regrets of having quit a job at an established firm and enter into the world of StartUps," he stated.
Then again, why must technology be restricted within the realms of engines and horsepower? Meet two Co-founders of SectorQube, a business to business enterprise that provides the technology that could be used in consumer durables.
Sabarish and Nibu elaborate on the ideas behind SectorQube
The story behind the Qube
The company was founded by six students who had completed their Bachelor's in Computer Science Engineering from Toc H Engineering College, Ernakulam. Unhappy with the campus placement scenario in the college, Nibu, Shabhareesh, Ani, Arjun, Biniyas and Mithun decided to pursue their passion for robotics and computer programming.
The team at SectorQube (clockwise) - Nibu Alias (CEO), Ani Abraham Joy (COO), Sabarish Prakash (CBDO), Midhun Skaria (CTO - Electronics), Binyas CL (CTO - Software), Arjun S (CMO).Inspired by the technology depicted in the movie Iron Man, the six entrepreneurs had ventured out into the area of 'smart' technology for consumer goods. In the midst of internet technology, this firm has also resorted to online marketing and newer methods of brand building.
Smart oven
SectorQube has created a programme to enhance the functioning of an oven. Thus, making it a 'smart' oven. It had taken the team nearly a year to do so. At present they are associated with several firms, including IFB. The programme is altered and modified according to the requirements of the firm.
A demo video the 'Smart Oven'
Like many firms, this company hopes to launch the product in the USA before introducing the technology in India. When asked as to why they chose the US over India they said, "It is difficult to do so in India as price becomes a matter of concern. We cannot reduce the price of our product so as to suit the Indian market. Whereas in the US, despite the competition, pricing does not become a concern."
Did their academic backgrounds help them in anyway?
Sabarish and Nibu believe otherwise. Most of them chose to explore the world of programming with their own resources.
The StartUp experience
"You learn more through this experience than in at an MBA programme," said Nibu. The team said that the experience is great. Despite a lot of skepticism from their families in the initial stages, they are glad that the approach towards StartUp Enterprises have changed manifold. They said that they would encourage more students to consider such options as career path. My advice would be, "Solve a problem, make that your business. Don’t start a business and then solve a problem," said Sabarish.
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