Everyday I try to think of 10 ideas. Sometimes interesting, sometimes thought provoking, and often enough pretty stupid. The point is to get the brain thinking, to exercise the brain muscle.
None of these have been researched. All of them are original, as in I thought of them, but many may not be novel, as you know what they say, geniuses think alike 🙂
Since ideas are useless if you don’t share them with the world, I decided to post them here. If you like any of them, go for it, make them a reality. If you ever want to chat about any of them with me, just look me up on sdbr.net or read my latest ideas on datarig.com. Thanks for reading!
Here are my ideas for August 24, 2017:
- Bluetooth electric kill or non-kill mouse trap. There are kill mouse trap that electrocute the mouse and non-kill traps that trap the mouse to be released later. Both can benefit from remote activation notification using Bluetooth with mash network added to cover large area. Perfect for large warehouses or stores. First Steps: check if it exists already, make a prototype using existing electric kill trap and an off the shelf BT module.
- Sunglasses with built in timer with BLE communication to a smart phone. To keep the costs down the glasses have tiny LEDs around the inside part of the rim and only display progress for the preset workout routine. For instance, you can use it to time yoga poses, runs, or count lifts. The glasses would have an built in microphone to listen to your breath, and give you feedback about the quality of your breath. First Steps: make a simple prototype out of existing components and test with athletes.
- Web version of WriteRoom and other similar distraction free tools for writers with paid spellchecking and reduction service and a free integration with WordPress, Ghost, and other blogging platforms via URL APIs or a Chrome Extension. You open the website, work on your draft, once done you can either have an option to directly transfer the text to a new post in your blog or submit your text to be spellchecked and grammar corrected by a freelancer. You can choose the level of service you need, from simple proofreading to a complex rewrite. Overtime you can chose to work with your favorite freelancer. First Steps: check if this exists, then check if it’s possible to use a chrome extension to copy text from the window to a blog, if not, then use clipboard with predefined formatting for various blog platforms.
- Wireless keyboard with either BT or other type of wireless connector that comes with 2 or 3 USB receivers. Mouse to go along with it. Use dedicated hardware keys on the keyboard to switch between different computers. Useful for programmers, server admins, some video editors, and people who use both a laptop and a desktop at the same time at work. This is a small market, but a market of people who are willing to spend money on this type of stuff. First Steps:check if it exists and how well it works. Test market it. Alternative: a USB box that does the same by monitoring specific key combos. This may have existed back in the 90s.
- Height adjustable chair with a Yoga ball as it’s main seating area, to encourage better posture. There are chairs like this already on the market, but non appear to be height adjustable. First Step: look harder for a height adjustable ball, if one doesn’t exist, make a simple prototype. Make a digital prototype and try marketing it to furniture companies to see if there is demand.
- Program for windows that targets dyslexic people who suffer from poor spelling and reading abilities. Many such programs exist, all are really bad. The program would read any selected text that can be selected and copied by monitoring for a keyboard shortcut. When the shortcut is activated, the program would trigger a copy command of the selected text, then move it into the internal buffer, then place previous clipboard content back onto the clipboard and proceed to read the buffer content with a text to speech engine. A Microsoft Agent like character technology updated for 2017 would be fun. Second feature would replace the highlighted text with the same text but with annotations added to help people spot homonyms and automatic fixing of common dyslexic typos which can be spotted by AI. First Step: the first part of this program is available on Mac, but not on Windows, at least not in a useable form. Make a program for Windows using built in speech APIs, then worry about the second part. Market to schools for children, this technology is a lifesaver (personal experience).
- House wide speakers that communicate over Ethernet over power network. The bandwidth necessary is very limited. Each speaker has an on board amp, data injector, and power converter. Central controller feeds the data into the “network.” Can be used to make house wide sound without needing to add wires. Advantage over wireless is better sound quality due to better and more stable connection and lack of latency which can make form some strange sounding system. First Steps: check if this exists, make a prototype with existing similar speakers, test market.
- Chrome extension that filters out all reviews for a given product except verified purchases to avoid many fake reviews left on the site nowadays for products from China. Monetize by showing in the side panel other similar products on Amazon with better “verified” ratings, and collect payment from referral fees. First Steps: check if it already exists, if not, make the extension, promote it, and add the similar product suggestions once popular.
- A desk figurine of a cat or another cartoon creature made out of rubber that promotes healthy breathing by simulating inhaling and exhaling at an AI controlled rate. It can use a camera or an infrared sensor to detect if you are breathing at a good rate, and draw your attention by glowing red if you are not. First Steps: see if it exists, figure out how to simulate breath motion in a rubber toy and how to sense breath. Sensing breath might be done by monitoring users face with IR camera.
- Do a video series called “Outsourced to AI” about people who’s jobs have been outsourced due to automation in the past 20 years. Many people miss how incredibly common this type of an outcome is becoming, and well produced series could be worth showing. First Steps: write a short treatment, find a few subjects, and try pitching it to Netflix or others to produce. If possible, produce and show on YouTube.