Kickstarter

Dear Backers,  

As we are a few days away to start the final units production, our software team keeps on making improvements calibrating the sensors. 

And because you still have to have fun while working....Here are a couple of fun demos! 

Thank you,

::L8 Team::

Final Assembly

Luminosity test 

Thanks for your support!

::L8 Team::

Dear Backers,

We know you're anxious to see progress in the project and in the overall production line, and now, we can finally show you some!

We already have most of the components in our partner’s warehouse, and we are in the final phase of testing to verify that all components are in perfect condition.

Here you can see some of our components stock images such as the batteries, microcontrollers, accelerometers, light sensors or the super LED that will go on the back side of the L8:

Batteries

Light sensors, accelerometers and Super-led

Piles of components

Microcontrollers

PCB´s

All these components are packed in reels and trays, because they're prepared for the assembly machines that will pick and place them on the circuit boards for the soldering process.

We're also preparing some pictures of the factory to tell you how the manufacturing process will be and which are the different stages needed to make and assembly a finished L8.

We're eager to start mass production and assemble the first final units, but this stage is crucial to ensure that the whole manufacturing process runs smooth so we can minimize errors and rejected units.

Thank you very much for joining us in this adventure, and thank you again for your patience and understanding.

We're getting closer and closer every day!!

:: L8 Team ::

Dear Backers,

At this stage we continue working on the L8 development
overcoming the obstacles that we have found in our way, and thus, we
can guarantee you that we're getting closer to ending the L8
manufacturing!

Now that everything is on the right track and direction, we want
to share with you the project status and some of the problems that we
encountered.

Let’s begin with the microcontroller. This one has been the most
serious unexpected problem that arose and the main reason for the
production process delay.

The microcontroller is one of the main parts of the L8. It is the main
chip on the board and controls everything that happens inside the L8.
This chip controls the LED matrix, reads the sensors, stores the
L8ties and sends and receives the information through the Bluetooth
module and the USB port.

The microcontroller we chose was an ARM Cortex-M3 developed by Texas
Instruments. We chose this microcontroller because it was launched
just a few months earlier, and therefore it was the latest technology.
In spite of this, the manufacturer changed the product status of this
chip to NRND, which means Not Recommended for New Designs.

This situation made us to shift to a different microcontroller, which
led to a L8 hardware and software redesign.

Here, you can see an extract of the manufacturer published announcement:

TI Announcement:
“Texas Instruments will be announcing the change in status of the
Stellaris LM3S devices to Not Recommended for New Designs (NRND). This
is a natural step in TI’s efforts to focus its new product development
and manufacturing efforts on TI’s differentiated 65nm technology. TI
remains committed to providing customers the industry’s best Cortex-M
products.

There is no change to the production status of the LM3S devices. TI
will continue to support all the devices from the LM3S family as long
as there is sufficient demand on the market, and in the accordance
with the standard TI obsolescence policy. Customers will continue to
receive application support as well as hardware and software support.”

Nevertheless, we already have a new microcontroller (also an ARM
Cortex-M3 latest generation), and the new hardware design for it.

As for the production, this L8 first badge will be produced in Spain.
This allows us direct control and assures optimum quality throughout
the entire process.

Here you can find all of the L8 production lines current status:

• Hardware. Matrix 8x8 LEDs: Our customized matrix are already ordered
and in manufacturing process
• Hardware. Components supply: The majority of the components are
already on their way to the factory and we hope to have them all
during January to begin the final manufacturing.
• Hardware. Electronics assembly. The factory is waiting for the last
components to begin production.
• Enclosure. The Injection mold is already in production and we will
soon receive the first injected plastic final samples.
Software: We are finalizing the sdk development, backend and apps, and
we expect to deliver the first SDK version for developers in early
February.

Soon we will have the first pre-series and samples that will be used
to evaluate the production processes quality and the devices
themselves. And of course we will post pictures so you can follow the
process with us.

We only ask a little more patience, because we are very close to make
the L8 shine.

Thank you again for your support and understanding.

Sincerely,

:: L8 Team ::

Dear and patient friends,

After the presentation of the brain and the heart of the L8, we want to show you its suit… the suit that soon will make it quake in your hands.

The L8 in black: its 3 parts compound suit combines elegance and minimalism with a sturdy and lean geometry. Optimizing the inner room to achieve a compact and easy to assemble mechanical design, where every internal component is perfectly fitted and fixed. In the end… Straight but sophisticated and sober design that will become a must this winter.

Here you can also find its main and final dimensions and where its sensors and technologic components are finally allocated.

Now we just need to refine the last details of the injection tooling and materials to get the best finish and to make sure that everything is perfect for the next public presentation in the best place on earth: your home.

Be sure we'll keep you informed about any new release… (sooner than you expect… we are in the fast lane now!)

Stay tuned and thanks for reading!!

:: L8 Team ::