Will the electronic touch whiteboard, which is popular in the education market, be replaced by a smart projector in the near future? Pointdidi, a startup in the Startup Terrace Linkou, successfully developed the "Smart Touch Projector", which can project an interactive touch screen by using just a small light bulb. This achievement has obtained 4 utility model patents and 1 invention patent, which is highly favored in the education market.
Many years ago, the projection-type interactive touch screen was favored by big consumer electronics manufacturers. However, its display was mainly based on LCD, which is difficult to carry and is expensive, unable to create a trend in the market. At that time, the market was leading the expectation that there could be a touch screen that can be projected on the table or wall at any time. When there is a place for projection, an interactive scenario can be created. For example, users can watch movies and surf the web in the living room, project recipes to learn how to cook in the kitchen, or even play the piano using the projected screen.
Built-in Android Operating System Turns Projected Screens into Large Tablets
To develop a smart touch projector, the most difficult part is not the projection technology, but how to design the touch and interactive functions. With the help of AI and IoT, Pointdidi uses interactive AI algorithms to develop laser sensors for image recognition. Users can directly touch the projection screen with their fingers without any remote control. The smart touch projector also has a built-in Android operating system and the Anytouch touch system, transforming the projected screen into a large tablet.
The smart touch projector is able to project a large screen and the key lies in the ultra-short throw projection technology, which can project a large screen at a short distance. It can project a 23" screen on a desk, or lie flat on the TV stand to project a large screen of 20~100" in a short distance, breaking the limitation of space. With this technology, many application scenarios can be developed. For example, restaurant guests can order dishes and check out at the table, interactive digital advertising can be provided for consumers, or even elderly people in the long-term caring center can play interactive board games; the list can go on and on.
Targeting the Education Market to Replace Electronic Whiteboards
Initially, the focus of Pointdidi is on the K12 education market. Jun-Zhe You, Chief Technology Officer of Pointdidi, emphasized that the use of tablets in schools now has made impact on children's vision and health. However, through the projection and the touch technology, there is no need to worry about the screen being too small and the eye damage by blue light. Currently, Pointdidi also integrates the touch projection and sound output with English teaching materials (APP), allows vocabularies and sentences to be pronounced correctly. More importantly, the projector can be used by multiple people (supports 10-point touch), making interactive teaching more fun. Many schools showed interests about future cooperation.
Shou-Zheng Wang said that by using this interactive technology, any vertical application can be created. In addition to smart projection products, in the future, Wi-Fi and 5G will also be combined to create smart home applications. The "smart projector” can be connected to home appliances. In addition, by including AI voice function, the projector can become a virtual secretary for our daily life, allowing audio and video streaming, smart voice assistant, cloud file browsing, and online games to be performed by a single projector, entering the huge smart home market.
A Team with Projection Industry Background and Strong Core Capabilities
The ability to combine projection and touch technologies to develop smart touch projector is the specialty of big consumer electronics manufacturers. How did Pointdidi, a startup established in less than a year achieve this? It turns out that the four people in the management team have strong background. Everyone in the team has at least 10 years of experience in projector R&D and mass production. The co-founders of Pointdidi, Shou-Zheng Wan, Xiang-Lin You and Zheng-Fang Chen, have all involved in the development of the first laser TV (ultra-short throw laser-source projector) in the China Hisense Group and mastered the core technologies.
The team who knows well about the projector industry decided to start a business to build its own products. The company was established in 2019 and stationed in the Startup Terrace Linkou, investing in the development of interactive projection technologies and products. The first-generation smart bulb projector was focused on interactive functions and used the bulb connector with E27 power input. However, it must be locked on the lighting fixture in order to project images. The product did not become popular in the market because it is more difficult for consumers to find light bulbs than sockets, making it inconvenience for people to use.
"Do not go against the trend in everything". Shou-Zheng Wang realized that product must meet the needs of consumers. Therefore, when he attended the Smart City Expo last year, he began to upgrade and improve the products. Currently, the smart light bulb projector is a lightweight mobile device, with the built-in smart operating system, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth functions. It can play various audio and video content as long as it is connected to the Internet, similar to carrying a computer and a projector with you and making business meeting and video conferencing convenient and easy.
Planning a Series of Smart Products; Aiming to Become the Mi of Taiwan
Any product that triggers a craze in the market must first satisfy the consumer experience. Pointdidi revolutionizes the market and develops smart interactive projector. Can it change consumer habits and create another era after tablets and smartphones? It is worth looking forward to. Shou-Zheng Wang emphasized that the smart projector is only one of the initially planned products. In the future, they are expected to develop a series of smart home products, hoping to become Mi in Taiwan.
Of course, the goal is difficult to achieve for a startup with limited manpower and funds in a short period of time. Pointdidi stationed in the Startup Terrace Linkou last year and received various resources from the Startup Terrace. In addition to the courses and guidance resources needed in the initial stage of entrepreneurship, the Startup Terrace also takes the initiative to help organize product launch conference, allowing students from nearby schools to experience the product. Pointdidi rising up in the market as a dark horse among startups. If more resources were supplied for entering into the international market, it is definitely possible for Pointdidi to become Mi in Taiwan, making MIT smart products to be seen by the world again.
Written/Photographed by: Startup Terrace Editorial team