Medical Product Developer DeviceLab Designing Revolutionary Mobile CE System KoolThings

    ORANGE COUNTY, CA, February 14, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- DeviceLab Inc., an Orange County medical device design and product development company, today announced a partnership with KoolTechs Inc. to launch and crowdfund KoolThings, a multifunction "Internet of Things" (IoT) system that simplifies wireless gadget management and functionality.

The KoolThings project is DeviceLab's first venture into consumer electronics (CE) embedded wireless engineering and mobile device development, harnessing approximately 16 years of experience in related technologies that have resulted in more than 100 medical products. However, DeviceLab founder and CEO Dac Vu was quick to clarify that KoolThings is not just a mobile device project.

Almost indescribable due to its unprecedented concept, the KoolThings system will include three components--KoolWand (a wearable Bluetooth SMART key fob device), KoolBridge (a small wireless hub and media player), and optional KoolSensors--that create an easy-to-use system that enable consumers to access emerging IoT applications for personal security, smart home "autotainment" (automation and entertainment), health and fitness, and remote control.

KoolThings co-founder and President Dr. Theriot emphasized KoolThings' uniqueness by comparing it to the first iPhone, which was launched in 2007. "KoolThings is the ultimate gizmo that really does it all--much like how the first iPhone integrated a camera, music player and cell phone into a powerful app-based device," said Theriot. "Its success has prepared consumers for what many are recognizing as 'the next big thing:' the emerging Internet of KoolThings (IoKT)".

Developing the KoolThings Platform
DeviceLab is lending its expertise in mobile hardware and software development to the KoolThings project, which has been in development since 2011. Specifically, DeviceLab's iOS and Android mobility development team has been refining KoolTechs' integration of multiple cutting-edge technologies, including:

- Low-power sensors and ARM-based embedded systems

- Bluetooth low-energy (BLE, also known as Bluetooth SMART) and other mobile wireless (WiFi, Bluetooth, infrared)

- Wired/wireless interfaces to iOS/Android phones/tablets, including Apple MFi (Made For iPhone) licensing

- DSP (digital signal processing) algorithm developments

- Video/audio streaming over IP

- Cloud services

- Server-Client software for the Internet of Things (IoT)

Some of the technology to bring KoolThings concept to reality is powered by innovations from top U.S. semiconductor corporations such as Texas Instruments (TI) and Microchip Technology Inc.--both of whom have been eager advocates for KoolThings.

"We are excited that TI's Bluetooth low-energy technology is part of this innovative system that helps users get the most out of their connected devices while making them easier to manage," said Sid Shaw, worldwide business and marketing manager of Wireless Connectivity Solutions, Texas Instruments (TI). "Bluetooth SMART devices such as the KoolThings system make the connected lifestyle a reality."

"I am thrilled to see the integration of our PIC microcontrollers in the KoolThings sub-components designed by KoolTechs and DeviceLab, a Microchip Technology authorized Design Partner," said Cheri Keller, Sr. manager of Microchip's Worldwide Design Partner Program. "I was particularly impressed with how the eXtreme BLE technology in our microcontrollers was employed in the multisensor, multifunction 'iWanditAll' KoolThings wireless platform. Being a gadget freak myself, I look forward to being an early adopter of this technology."

"Crowdfunding" and Collaborating Outside of the Design Studio
DeviceLab's relationship with KoolTechs was sparked in 2011 after being approached by KoolTechs for another project, said Vu. "Although that first project did not progress beyond the initial introductory phases, we quickly realized that we shared a common passion for designing cutting-edge products, even if not expressly intentioned for the medical and healthcare market," said Vu.

The same innovative spirit that brought the two companies together is what motivated them to embrace "crowdfunding"--a relatively new collaborative effort for financing new business ideas via the Internet, said Vu.

KoolThings is being crowdfunded online at Kickstarter.com. To date, with 2.5 weeks left the campaign, it has reached 107% percent of funding goal--exceeding the contribution amount needed to bring KoolThings to market.

Vu said that the decision to use crowdfunding was a multifaceted choice. "Along with using crowdfunding to provide the resources needed to bring KoolThings to market, we also believe that it will help expand awareness of the exciting potential for emerging IoT and BLE technologies--especially since the KoolThings concept is so radically unique," said Vu.

Additional Resources
To become a KoolThings backer and see more video demos, please visit www.kickstarter.com/projects/koolthings/koolthings-smartphone-new-koolapplications-for-iot.

Learn more about the "iWanditAll" KoolThings platform and DeviceLab and KoolTechs' partnership in an online video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGNt4rvTtmc&feature=youtu.be.

About KoolTechs
KoolTechs Inc. is a team of multidisciplinary visionaries and engineering veterans with more than 90 years combined experience in embedded system design and consumer hardware/firmware/app product development. Its mission is to bring to the marketplace unique products and inventions that enhance all aspects of everyday life.

For more information about KoolTechs, please visit www.kooltechs.com.

About DeviceLab
DeviceLab is an ISO 13485-certified contract medical device design and product development firm in Orange County, California.

A full-service company, DeviceLab has expertise in mechanical engineering, electronics, software, industrial design, prototyping, manufacturing, FDA regulatory consulting and product testing services. The company has considerable experience in design and development of tabletop and hand held devices, custom medical carts, hospital equipment and lab instrumentation development.

For more information about DeviceLab, please visit www.devicelab.com.

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