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Update #6: We're getting close!
Some of you have asked how things are going, which made me realize how long it's been since our last update. Sorry about that! It has taken a bit longer than anticipated to go from prototype to production but things are moving forward and our expectation is that shipping will begin in mid to late May for both the versions. Below is our first production coffee table, now in beautiful bamboo and nearing completion.
The first production Zen Coffee Table in its final stages
Our two biggest challenges so far have been sourcing enough high quality components and transferring the prototype electronics to a production-grade printed circuit board. To speed up development we even went as far as purchasing a PCB milling machine, which has made an enormous difference in terms of our ability to rapidly iterate on designs. Both versions of the table are now awaiting final electronics.
The Desktop version of Zen Table, nearing completion
We've made a few enhancements to both the desktop and coffee table versions, some of it based on feedback received during the initial campaign. Our goal has been to improve on the look, ease-of-use and durability of the original prototypes. We are quite pleased with the results and hope you will be too.
Thank you again everyone for your patience, I promise it will be well worth it.
-Simon
Update #5: Website thank you
For backers only,
Posted on February 22
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Update #4: A new company, a new website
Thanks once more to everyone that backed this project; your support has been the inspiration for an amazing chain of events. I have teamed up with several individuals that share my passion to form a new company - BruHa Robotics. Together we'll be working to fulfill our backer rewards, moving the Zen Table into full production, and concocting even more cool stuff. Our website is live (at www.bruha-robotics.com) and, in case you missed the opportunity to back the project initially, some pre-orders are now available.
Simon
Update #3: Thank you for your generosity and belief in Zen Table.
For backers only,
Posted on February 4
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Update #2: More videos, and last minute hope for funding successfully.
With just under a day to go, things are getting down the the wire, will Zen Table get funded or not? My fingers are crossed :)
I know that many of the images and videos I have shown the table sculpting aren't exactly Zen like, they are mostly the result of ideas I have had for places that might be interested in purchasing a few of them, like hotels, and others are the result of special requests from people. Here are a few more along the same lines:
This video speeds up to get through the action quickly, but it is one of my favorites:
This one takes a while to draw, but it is cool to see the lion take shape:
Several people have asked how the table prepares itself ready to sculpt a new shape. This video shows it going through one of a few sweeping techniques used. The sand does not build up around the edges of the table as some have wondered, the more times these patterns are run, the more level the sand becomes. I sped up the action part way into the video, in reality it takes about 10 minutes to perform a full clear:
I'm not saying Zen Table is self-aware or anything, but it does now how to sculpt its own name...
Thanks to everyone for your interest, and for all the kind and uplifting emails I have received. You have really helped keep alive my dream of building Zen Table for a living.
Simon.
125
Backers
$35,537
pledged of $25,000 goal
0
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on February 3.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
Your name "with thanks" on the Zen Table website.
Pledge $15 or more Pledge $15 or more
A personalized "I helped make Zen Table" pop-up thank you card, and your name on the thank you page on our website.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
A numbered and labeled vial of the specially formulated sculpting sand used in the prototype, plus the personalized thank you pop-up card and your name on our website thank you page.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
An 8.5" x 11" (unframed) print showing your name sculpted by the full-sized Zen Table into a personalized thank you message, plus a vial of the original sculpting sand used in the prototype, plus the personalized thank you pop-up card and your name on our website thank you page.
Pledge $70 or more Pledge $70 or more
A part from the development of the full-sized prototype, and documentation telling the story behind the part and how it was used. Plus, the personalized thank you pop-up card and your name on our website thank you page.
Pledge $150 or more Pledge $150 or more
A personalized video showing the full-sized Zen Table prototype sculpt your name and a thank you message. You will get a copy in the mail on DVD, your own dedicated page on our website, where you can play your video via computer/tablet/smartphone, and a link so that you can download your video in MP4 format. Plus a labeled vial of the sand sculpting material, and the personalized thank you pop-up card and your name on our website thank you page.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
All of the rewards described above: A personalized video showing the full-sized Zen Table prototype sculpt your name and a thank you message. You will get a copy in the mail on DVD, your own dedicated page on our website, where you can play your video via computer/tablet/smartphone, and a link so that you can download your video in MP4 format. The 8.5" x 11" print. A part from the development of the full-sized prototype, and documentation telling the story behind the part and how it was used. Plus a labeled vial of the sculpting sand, and the personalized thank you pop-up card and your name on our website thank you page.
Pledge $499 or more Pledge $499 or more
A complete kit of all the parts needed to build your own desktop version of a Zen Table. Includes a bag of the specially formulated sculpting sand material, software which converts bitmap images into sculpting programs, and an SD card containing a program of relaxing images and patterns to be sculpted. Shipping is extra, and will be calculated based upon your desired shipping location.
Pledge $749 or more Pledge $749 or more
A fully assembled and tested desktop version Zen Table. Comes complete with an SD card containing many relaxing patterns and images which the table will sculpt into the included sculpting sand, and software which converts bitmap images into sculpting programs. Shipping is extra, and will be calculated based upon your desired shipping location.
Pledge $999 or more Pledge $999 or more
A fully assembled and tested desktop version Zen Table, the same as above, but includes your name and other personalized thank you messages which the table will sculpt into the sculpting sand. Shipping is extra, and will be calculated based upon your desired shipping location.
Pledge $4,999 or more Pledge $4,999 or more
A full-sized beautifully crafted Zen Coffee Table, continuously sculpting relaxing images and patterns. Constructed from organically grown FSC certified renewable bamboo that you select, and finished in your choice from a selection of stains and varnishes to match your existing furniture. Shipping is extra, and will be calculated based upon your desired shipping location.
Pledge $7,499 or more Pledge $7,499 or more
A full-sized beautifully crafted Zen Coffee Table with built in 3G modem, 2 years of network connectivity and regularly auto-updating relaxing patterns and images, plus 4 custom images per year created at your request and pushed directly to your table. Access to the iPhone/Android app currently in development, which allows you to control the table and play a compendium of classic games. Constructed from organically grown FSC certified renewable bamboo that you select, and finished in your choice from a selection of stains and varnishes to match your existing furniture. Shipping is extra, and will be calculated based upon your desired shipping location.
Project By
Connected as Simon Hallam (266 friends)
A video-game developer since the 8-bit NES days in 1988, Simon's work has won awards from The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, and the Independent Games Festival. He became a Faculty Advisor to Full Sail University, has developed 38 professional projects, and now devotes time and energy realizing his dreams as an inventor.
