Kickstarter Backer Update --- November 2023
6 months ago
– Fri, Nov 03, 2023 at 07:20:03 PM
Dear backers,
We're thrilled to bring you the latest updates on the manufacturing and development of our cutting-edge gaming mouse. The past month has seen significant progress, and we're excited to share the latest developments with you.
Manufacturing Progress:
We're delighted to report that we now have a few devices with real molded plastics completed and being evaluated. While the team in the United States don't have these devices in hand just yet (they are currently in transit), and upon receipt, one I will keep for evaluation and one will go to our mechanical engineer for a thorough fit/form/function evaluation.
Two overseas representatives are currently assessing some samples, and the initial feedback is incredibly promising. We've encountered and swiftly addressed a minor issue, and, fortunately, there have been no reports of any major fit or functionality concerns, which is excellent news. This suggests we're on track to avoid significant delays that were once a potential concern. We promise to keep you updated should any issues arise.
As per our original schedule, the factory has initiated a small pilot run of 15 units, and simultaneously, they have begun the process of building the steel molds for the left-hand devices.
In an exciting development, we've added a second pilot run of 200 pieces to the schedule. This decision comes on the advice of our manufacturer to ensure the highest quality standards. Importantly, this addition has minimal impact on our overall schedule, and we remain committed to delivering your orders as soon as possible.
Software, Firmware, and Electrical:
Our dedicated software and firmware team has been continuously refining the mouse's functionality and ease of use. Recent attention has been focused on the slide control, addressing clunkiness through electrical changes, including upgrading the hall effect sensor to one that is 4 times more sensitive.
While some minor bugs and quirks are being ironed out, they aren't on the critical path for product delivery, allowing us to ensure the best user experience without rushing.
Current Schedule:
While there have been some minor date adjustments, our overall delivery timeline remains consistent with our previous update. Here's the current schedule:
- October 21st: "T0" parts of the right-hand devices complete and a very small 3-piece build for evaluation (Task Complete).
- October 27th: Start a larger 15-piece pilot build for the right-hand device (Task Started).
- November 2nd: Mold tooling for the left-hand mouse begins (Slight delay from previous schedule).
- September 30th: Finish the second pilot build of 200 units (Added to the schedule).
- December 15th: Completion of the right-hand device build (Delayed from previous schedule, but we are expediting shipping).
- December 15th: Left-hand mold tooling completion.
- December 22nd: Left-hand device's first smaller pilot run.
- January 5th: Left-hand device's second 200-piece pilot run.
- January 19th: Left-hand device final build completed and shipped out this week.
Shipping:
In collaboration with our shipping partner, EZ Ship, we've determined the fastest and most cost-effective way to deliver your products is to air ship them directly from Hong Kong. This method, along with Hedgehog Gaming's contribution to some shipping costs, means that the estimated shipping costs of $12 to the USA and $20 to Europe (excluding tariffs) are overestimates. We'll provide you with final numbers in our next update.
We appreciate your continued support and patience as we work diligently to bring you a top-tier gaming mouse. Rest assured that we are committed to delivering a high-quality product that exceeds your expectations. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey!
Stay tuned for more exciting updates in the near future.
Warm regards,
Branden
Hedgehog Gaming
Kickstarter Project Update: Manufacturing and More!
7 months ago
– Fri, Oct 06, 2023 at 10:10:07 PM
Hello backers,
We hope this update finds you well. We have some important news to share regarding the manufacturing timeline of our project. While we had high hopes of delivering your units on time, we've encountered some unexpected delays. We're committed to transparency and want to keep you in the loop every step of the way.
Manufacturing Update: Last week, we received a revised schedule from our manufacturing partner, and regrettably, it pushed some of our previously estimated dates further into the future. We share your disappointment in this delay but rest assured, we're working diligently to bring you a product we can all be proud of.
Our relationship with the factory remains strong, and our mutual goal is to create a top-notch product for you. We take responsibility for the delay, as we meticulously vetted potential manufacturers, even going so far as to hire an investigator to ensure we made the right choice. The selection process, quoting, and design reviews took longer than expected.
To ensure the highest quality and affordability, we had decided to prioritize the right-hand devices, followed by the left-hand devices. The design for manufacturing review was more thorough than anticipated, causing multiple date revisions. However, this extra effort has led to improvements in our product and its manufacturability.
Note: This month about half of the molds have been completed for the right-hand device and have produced "T0" parts. Please note the molds don't have their final finish yet but, here are a few various parts (not all but a good variety).
The Updated Schedule: Here's the latest schedule for your right-hand and left-hand devices:
- October 21st: "T0" parts off the last mold for the right-hand device.
- October 27th: Pilot build (right-hand devices start once approved).
- October 27th: Mold Tooling for the Left-hand mouse begins.
- November 30th: Completion of Right-hand device build.
- Shipping by Air (~10 days from China to our shipping partner in Chicago).
- Early December: Left-hand mold tooling completion.
- Second week of December: Left-hand pilot run.
- Early January: Shipping of 2000-piece left-hand products from the factory.
- Shipping by Air (~10 days from China to our shipping partner in Chicago).
Biggest Risk Area: Our primary concern is the end of October when we'll receive the first units and fresh parts from the molds. If there are any significant issues with the molds or parts' fit and functionality, further delays may occur. We've taken extensive precautions, including 3D printing, to minimize these risks, but only after receiving the parts can we be certain.
Next Update: Expect our next update on November 3rd, where we anticipate having units in hand and will provide a detailed status report.
Software and Firmware Status: We're continually testing and improving our software and firmware, adding new features and functionality every week.
Other Achievements: This month, we've been hard at work creating a user manual and designing our product's packaging. Here's a sneak peek:
We appreciate your unwavering support and understanding during these challenges. Together, we'll bring this project to life and deliver a product that exceeds your expectations. Thank you for being part of our journey.
Warm regards,
-Branden
Kickstarter Project Update: Exciting Progress and Funding Milestone!
8 months ago
– Thu, Aug 24, 2023 at 12:04:42 PM
Dear backers,
We're thrilled to share the latest updates on our project's development. Over the past month, our dedicated team has been hard at work bringing our vision to life. Here's a breakdown of the progress we've made across various aspects of the project:
Mechanical Innovations: In collaboration with our manufacturing team, we've diligently incorporated their insightful suggestions into our mechanical designs. This iterative process ensures that every detail aligns perfectly with our goals.
Electronics Advancements: Great news! We've successfully assembled and tested the left-hand board sets. The results have been promising, with flawless electronic functionality. However, as with any innovative endeavor, we're addressing some minor firmware and software glitches. Our team is working tirelessly to swiftly overcome these challenges.
Software and Firmware Strides: Daily breakthroughs are driving our software and firmware development forward. It's incredibly satisfying to witness the constant evolution of our technology. While a few bugs have surfaced, our team's rapid response is getting us closer to a seamless user experience.
Financial Achievement: We're excited to announce a significant milestone – our project is now fully financed! While it wasn't an easy decision, I personally went the extra mile by putting my house on the line to secure the final loan. It's been an exhilarating journey, and I'm delighted to see all the pieces falling into place.
Navigating Manufacturing Challenges: Our manufacturing timeline has encountered a minor setback, as we've recently learned that we're about a month behind our initial projections. This setback leaves us with a tight schedule, and we're awaiting feedback on whether any molds require adjustments. While this is looking likely impact our October delivery target, rest assured that we're pushing hard to minimize any potential delay. We're expecting to know a lot more by our next update since we'll parts in hand off the manufacturing line by than.
Upcoming Milestones: Here's a glimpse of our manufacturing milestone scheduled for the next month:
-
August 29th: Half of the right-handed mouse molds will be completed, initiating our evaluation process.
-
September 13th: An additional quarter of the molds will be ready for evaluation.
-
September 21st: The remaining molds are set to be finished, allowing us to assemble the full manufactured mouse for assessment at the manufacturer's facility. Once approved, the units will be sent to me for final inspection.
Left-Hand Model Progress: As soon as the right-hand mouse model receives approval, we're wasting no time – work on the molds for the left-hand version will commence immediately.
We're immensely grateful for your unwavering support and patience as we navigate these intricate stages of development. Your belief in our project fuels our determination to deliver a groundbreaking product. Stay tuned for more updates, and let's continue this journey together!
Warm regards,
-Branden
Exciting Progress in Manufacturing, Software, and More!
9 months ago
– Fri, Jul 21, 2023 at 08:54:28 PM
Hello Backers,
We hope you're all doing well and are as excited as we are about the progress on the Hedgehog Gaming project! We have some exciting updates to share with you today, although most of the progress has been on the manufacturing front. Let's dive into the details:
Manufacturing:
Our manufacturer has been hard at work, and we're pleased to inform you that most of the Design for Manufacturability (DFMs) are now complete. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, a DFM is a crucial process where the manufacturer ensures that the design can be feasibly and efficiently produced at scale. This helps us avoid potential manufacturing issues and ensures a smoother production process.
Steel molds are now being cut! This is a significant step towards bringing the Hedgehog Gaming project to life, as these molds will be used in the manufacturing of the product components.
Firmware/Software:
On the software front, we have a major release planned for next week that we can't wait to start testing. This update will bring exciting new features and optimizations to enhance your gaming experience.
The firmware has also been receiving small but important tweaks. Our team is continuously working to add new functionalities and accommodate the needs of the software team. This collaborative effort is essential to ensure that the hardware and software components seamlessly complement each other.
Mechanical:
Our dedicated mechanical team is in constant communication with the manufacturer. They are diligently reviewing and implementing any necessary updates suggested by the manufacturing team. This close collaboration is helping us maintain the highest quality standards for the Hedgehog Gaming product.
We know how eager you all are to receive your Hedgehog Gaming devices, and we're thrilled to share that we are still on track to meet our stated shipping date in October. We'll keep you informed about any changes or developments that may arise as we move forward.
As always, we are incredibly grateful for your support and patience throughout this journey. Your belief in Hedgehog Gaming has been the driving force behind our progress, and we can't wait for you to experience the final product.
Thank you for being part of this incredible adventure with us.
Best regards,
Branden Founder, Hedgehog Gaming, Inc.
Exciting Progress and Manufacturing Milestones!
11 months ago
– Sat, Jun 10, 2023 at 10:00:07 PM
Hello Backers,
We're back with another thrilling update on the progress of our project. There's been a lot happening behind the scenes, and we're thrilled to share the latest developments with you.
Manufacturing:
Great news! Our manufacturer has received the first payment and work has officially commenced. According to the manufacturer's schedule, we can expect the initial assembled products to be shipped for testing and evaluation within the next 50 days (last month we had estimate between 35-45 days so we weren't too far off). We're overjoyed to witness our vision coming to life!
Firmware/Software:
Our dedicated software and firmware teams are firing on all cylinders, working tirelessly to finalize the programming of both the device and the accompanying computer software. It's truly rewarding to witness the progress made each week. We couldn't be happier with the commitment and dedication of our firmware/software teams. They've been exceptional in handling new, sometimes out-of-scope (Ooops!), requests and implementing them with great efficiency.
Mechanical:
While we presented our manufacturer with a completed package last month, we were aware of certain key areas that required close monitoring. These areas primarily involved some limitations in 3D printing parts, such as non-ideal material properties, warpage, and other artifacts. One specific concern revolved around the base unit. Despite initially suspecting the 3D printed material as the cause, our mechanical engineer, Josh, has been relentless in his investigation of the issue. We're delighted to inform you that he has found a resolution to the problem, and we'll be able to incorporate these changes before the molds are finalized. This is fantastic news for our project!
Looking ahead, we're still on track to meet our stated shipping date in October. While we had hoped to be comfortably ahead of schedule by this point; it seems we're cutting it close. Nevertheless, doing everything possible to avoid any unforeseen delays. To ensure a smooth final build, I will be traveling to China with some manufacturing representatives to oversee the last week of the project's construction. Rest assured, we'll keep you updated on this exciting journey!
Once again, we want to express our deep gratitude for your unwavering support. It's your enthusiasm and encouragement that keep us going.
Thank you,
Branden
Founder, Hedgehog Gaming, Inc.
