Sun Dec 31 '23 Announcement
over 2 years ago
– Sun, Dec 31, 2023 at 11:36:13 AM
Dear supporters:
In a few days, we’ll be heading to the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to show the final LifeSaber prototype. Though we won’t have a booth, we hope to meet with potential partners to help us bring this life-saving tool to market.
Let me know if any of you will be in attendance. Meanwhile, I’d very much value your introductions to folks we might visit with at CES. We hope to recruit potential resellers and strategic investors. We are also looking for additional help with shipping & fulfillment, advertising, PR and influencer-marketing.
I’ve funded the factory to complete all preparations for manufacturing. We hope to see the first few production units in February. These are earmarked for final testing while a handful will be shared with key influencers.
Who do you recommend we send the LifeSaber to for a formal review?
As we finish up our business plan, I’d like to share with you our draft mission statement.
"Whether by recreational choice or calamity, outdoors or sheltering in place; the forecast is for more time cut-off from reliable energy. We will provide portable, inexhaustible, all-weather power - and the essential accessories - that make survival possible."
What do you think and what are your own plans for using the LifeSaber? For backcountry adventures? As part of an emergency kit? Do you plan to keep it in the car? Your answers will help us to craft our marketing plan.
Meanwhile, please encourage your friends to consider purchasing the LifeSaber on Indiegogo. The price will rise again once we start fulfilling your pledges in March. A few thousand more orders will help us to accelerate production, and show the kind of momentum that potential investors are looking for.
I’m hoping you’ll be very pleased with the final product. Thank you so much for staying with me on this journey and may you find joy in 2024.
Marvin
Sun Oct 22 '23 Announcement
over 2 years ago
– Sun, Oct 22, 2023 at 01:20:05 PM
Dear colleagues:
We have a pre-production prototype which has now been extensively tested by an outside lab in Shenzhen. We’re also working with local volunteers of varying ages and physical abilities. We’re still waiting on the results of an independent certification of the water purifier.
Of note:
- The power output is exceptional. At the highest force multiplier setting (resistance level #5), a fit user can ergonomically generate a maximum output of 1.7Amps (5.78W/3.4V).
- This translates into a Quick Charge of 25mWh (900 Joules) in less than 3 minutes. With a Quick Charge a user can restart a just-dead phone in order to make a 5 minute emergency call (depending on temperature and signal strength).
- Meanwhile, a young or even injured person can comfortably generate the Quick Charge within 20 minutes, simply by twirling (one-handed) at the easiest resistance level.
- The addition of an adjustable hand-strap provides for a sure and comfortable grip. The strap can be repositioned to accommodate both right and left hands.
- Our emergency siren is now much louder: a piercing 132dB up close, with 101 dB at 1 meter distance. While the accompanying strobe flashes at a brilliant 350 lumens.
- The upgraded 5,000mAh battery is more than sufficient to fully recharge even the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
- The LifeSaber now features dual USB-C charging ports for input/output.
- For added safety, the on/off switch has a built-in auto-shutdown (which disables all features, save for SOS).
I expect to have the latest device in hand within 10 days and invite you to help me to conduct the final tests of this prototype. I’ll do my best to meet one-on-one, anytime, here at my home office in Havertown. Please reach out via email, [email protected]
My next update should include a detailed production schedule for the first 500 units to begin fulfilling pledges.
Marvin
Tue Aug 15 '23 Announcement
over 2 years ago
– Tue, Aug 15, 2023 at 03:16:27 PM
Dear friends and supporters:
I’ve made payment on the molds and tooling (including ‘dies’) for the first production run of the LifeSaber. The design we will be manufacturing reflects several changes based on extensive usability testing (including feedback during Demo Day).
Most notably, we’ve added an adjustable Velcro hand strap that can be moved to either side, depending on whether the user is right or left-handed. (See the accompanying drawing). Turns out that the hand gripping the LifeSaber becomes fatigued from resisting the torque generated by vigorous cranking. The need became apparent during time-trials to determine how long it takes to generate a ‘Quick Charge’ (explained below). The strap will eliminate most of the effort required to hold the LifeSaber steady.
I’ve retained two independent testing labs. One is tasked with assembling a range of individuals of varying strength and fitness and measuring how quickly they can realistically generate 900 Joules of energy through cranking or twirling. 900 Joules (25 mWh) is what is required to power-up a cell phone sufficient to enable a 5-minute call-for-help. We call this the Quick Charge.
The other lab will scientifically ascertain the safety and effectiveness of the snap-in UV water purifier which we’ve continued to improve.
Meanwhile, the newest member of our team, Mohak Desai, is in discussions with various specialized shipping companies to lock down the process and costs for fulfilling our crowdfunding orders. Mohak is an aspiring entrepreneur who is completing his business degree from Temple University.
We’ll start by manufacturing 500 units (and then make more LifeSaber tools pending any necessary tweaks). A questionnaire will go out just before we’re ready to ship to verify addresses.
At last count, we have 1,506 individual backers, representing 47 different countries.
The LifeSaber is more than twice as expensive to make as originally estimated. While shipping has also increased dramatically (including an estimated 37.5% in USA tariffs). But if you know someone who’d like to buy the LifeSaber before prices go up significantly, they can still place their order through our Indiegogo InDemand page.
Thanks to you all, we are on a fast track (at last)!
Tue Jul 4 '23 Announcement
almost 3 years ago
– Tue, Jul 04, 2023 at 10:33:46 AM
Dear colleagues:
The LifeSaber was well received on Demo Day. One of the participants was LifeSaber-backer Kareen Spillman who came up from D.C. for the event. Kareen (who joined our journey via Indiegogo) had this to say in his public posting:
"Hello, I have been following this project for about 4 years. Recently I attended the demo day in Philadelphia to experience the life saber in person. I have to say the product does exactly as claimed. The power generator has multiple settings. The flashlight/ lantern/ strobe works great (fewer items to pack). There was also a ‘kool’ surprise being that the fire starter and water purifier was one unit! It would be great if this product has additional units in the future. I definitely still want one!!!"
Since June 1, we've continued our testing and conducted some in-depth focus groups. Taking this all into account, we've now finalized our specifications and requirements and are waiting on our partner in Shenzen for the manufacturing plan. The first step will be to create the tooling and molds required for production. Once the 'golden sample' has been approved, we intend to start manufacturing with a run of 500 units for distribution to our supporters. We'll also make some samples available for review by opinion leaders and potential resellers.
I'm very proud of where we've come to with the LifeSaber. Unlike pretty much every crowdfunding campaign I know of, our product is now significantly better than was originally promised. Improvements include:
- A more powerful motor/generator
- Higher capacity 5000mAh battery (the original spec was 2200mAh)
- Reversible firestarter/water purifier module which stows inside the LifeSaber
- USB-C charging port
- PowerGrip swing arm, now enabling six degrees of motion
To date, we've netted $196.850.69 in deferred income from crowdfunding for the LifeSaber while having spent $298,174.86 on the project. We're borrowing the money to begin manufacturing while seeking outside investors to help us to grow the LifeSaber as a standalone business. We have a full pipeline of follow-on products.
Thank you all for your patience and support.
Marvin
I’m once again in training for the 75-mile City-to-Shore-Ride to fight MS and would value your support. Please click here to make a donation.
Fri May 26 '23 Announcement
almost 3 years ago
– Fri, May 26, 2023 at 01:22:55 PM
Dear generous and patient supporters of the LifeSaber (who live relatively close by):
More than 5 years in development and the subject of crowdfunding campaigns on both Kickstarter and Indiegogo, we are finally ready to unveil the LifeSaber Personal Energy Generator. Come to see and have hands-on with the latest prototypes and provide your feedback to help inform the (truly) final design for manufacturing.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to test their personal energy-generating skills.
Following the demonstration you’re invited to a private dinner which I’ll be hosting for backers of the campaign. Of course there's no charge to join in the celebration,
Demo Day is next Thursday, June 1st from 5-7pm, in downtown Philadelphia. We’ll be meeting at Venture Café, (across from UPenn, near the main train station).
Please respond to me via this channel, or directly to my email, if you are able to attend. We need the count to make dinner reservations. [email protected]
We have orders for more than 1,700 LifeSaber Personal Energy Generators but only a few of our backers live realistically near enough to attend. Your feedback will be invaluable to the entire LifeSaber community. I and the rest of the team most sincerely hope to see you on Thursday; but if this date isn’t convenient, just let me know and I’ll arrange for a personal showing here in Havertown.
