Kickstarter Update

Hello again! It has been some time since our last Kickstarter update, and we apologize for that. We do our best to respond to direct inquiries but as we are yet a small team can easily get bogged down in the day-to-day needs of running a growing company. We have taken a series of steps to address this, starting with the Puzzlebox Newsletter.

Puzzlebox Newsletter

We are pleased to introduce our newsletter, to keep all of our supporters informed about updates on their purchases from Puzzlebox. You should be receiving the first message immediately following this one, with much of the same information. While the Kickstarter platform has served us well for announcements so far, we wanted to make sure that future updates include our entire community (including new customers who arrived after the Kickstarter closed). When Puzzlebox Pyramids have shipped to all backers we will officially change over to the newsletter for ongoing communications. If you do not wish to receive these emails from Puzzlebox please excuse our intrusion and you can find an "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of each message.

Orbit Instruction Video

We have received several requests to produce a video demonstrating how to setup and operate the Puzzlebox Orbit. This video includes examples for pairing with the NeuroSky MindWave Mobile over Bluetooth, proper fit of the headset, using the control software, adjusting the "flight plan" to set hover height and direction of flight, and tips and tricks for troubleshooting. Download instructions for Android and Apple iOS are still documented on the wiki.

Puzzlebox Pyramid Update

Hao has been hard at work developing custom circuit boards for the Puzzlebox Pyramid. In the course of production we have decided to add two key new components to our design:

• Bluetooth

• Second, dedicated Atmel micro-controller for manipulation of RGB LEDs, leaving main controller available for future peripherals

The decision to build Bluetooth into the Pyramid was made following internal discussions around new capabilities its inclusion would enable which were just too good to pass up. For starters, until now it was required we supply the original NeuroSky MindWave EEG headset with the Pyramid instead of the Bluetooth-based MindWave Mobile which is included with the Puzzlebox Orbit. The original MindWave relied on a USB adapter, communicating using radio signals (RF). Adding Bluetooth provides a clean upgrade path from the Orbit Mobile Edition to the Pyramid.

We also wanted to ensure potential for expansion with hardware accessories. For technical reasons, the second Atmel micro-controller will grant full use of the RGB color spectrum in all 12 LEDs of our display without incurring certain compromises. We are effectively adding a second Arduino into each Pyramid.

And of course we will be absorbing all additional cost for our Kickstarter backers and direct pre-order customers.

New Orbit Packaging

Earlier this month Puzzlebox completed its new package design for the Orbit. Many thanks to Zavier at NeuroSky for his fine work helping translate our ideas and sketches into a workable layout and to Hao for his tireless research into printers and material options. We felt proud to hold the final product in our hands and thank each of you once again for helping to make it happen!

Recent Events

GDC (Game Developers Conference) 2013:

• Make Magazine: Flying Drones with Jedi Mind Tricks

Stanford Robot Block Party:

• Tested.com: Testing the Puzzlebox Orbit Brain-Controlled Helicopter

• PC World: Mind-controlled helicopter takes some serious brain power

• CNET: Brain-controlled helicopter

Upcoming Events

Puzzlebox will be presenting the Puzzlebox Orbit and pre-release versions of the Puzzlebox Pyramid at the following events in May:

• NeuroGaming Conference (May 1st & 2nd)

• Maker Faire (May 18th & 19th)

If you are located in the Bay Area we hope to see you there!

Great news!

We are proud to finally announce that our software for controlling the Puzzlebox Orbit on Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices has been approved and is now available as a free download in the App Store!

You can search for "Puzzlebox Orbit" or clicking this link from your iOS device should take you there directly: https://t.co/T2nSilQ4

Instructions are available on our wiki: http://orbit.puzzlebox.info/tracker/wiki/iOSInstructionManual

As noted previously, we have only provided the most basic, minimum functions in the 1.0 version of the application in order to keep the source code clear and concise for new developers who which to learn how our software works and perhaps make their own contributions. Now that we have been approved we will begin adding new features and a professional-grade user interface.

Next up, work continues on the Puzzlebox Pyramid. Hao has been refining a series of new prototypes in preparation for the final plastic injection molds to be manufactured. The latest design features a detachable back and sides which can be replaced to support new hardware and accessory add-ons. The intention is for hardware hackers to be able to 3D print custom panels which will add new capabilities to the Pyramid. Puzzlebox will be offering our own expansion kits and encouraging third parties to do the same. We will be providing more details on this plan as we get closer to the first round of shipments in Q2.

Finally, Puzzlebox will be presenting at Toy Fair 2013 in New York from February 10th through the 13th in association with NeuroSky at Booth #3212. We will be offering live demos and seeking retail orders for the 2013 holiday season. Please feel free to visit and stop by for a chat!

A quick round of updates to bring everyone up to speed!

First off, for our international backers expecting a delivery in January, all of your packages were shipped one week ago today, from our new warehouse facility in China. Setting up that facility proved to be more complicated than expected, but we made a timely delivery our priority and we expect most if not all of you to receive your package this coming week. Some, we are told, have already arrived.

Next, we had an amazing experience at CES in Las Vegas meeting several of you in person and presenting the Puzzlebox Orbit to members of the press and general public. Highlights included a visit and interview with CNN's doctor-in-residence Sanjay Gupta, broadcasting 15 live back-to-back demonstrations to Fox News affiliates across the country (starting at 4:30 AM, with a different city every 10 minutes!), and a special engagement hosted by the SyFy channel. We have attempted to collect all of the articles and videos we could find, and added them to our website:

CES Press Coverage of the Puzzlebox Orbit

And finally, while we are still anxiously awaiting Apple's approval of the iOS app we submitted last month, we have arrived at an interim solution for our backers and early adopters. An announcement was made in a private update sent just prior to this one. If you are an Apple user who purchased your Puzzlebox Orbit directly from us after the Kickstarter closed, please feel free to get in contact with us for details.