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Hard question to answer, so I will let you help me figure it out.
On March 4, I said:
"Ballpark estimate is that the MIMA_C Version 1 Kit including the programmed Micro with PC card and parts should be under $100, and could be as little as $40. "
I was pretty close, the parts look like they will come in at the $85-$100 range, to be adjusted up or down when I get prices for the PC cards.(very quantity based)
As an engineering professional, I have been through this difficult part of a product development many times before, and would like to try something different with MIMA.
As I have stated many times, I am developing MIMA because I want one, and can see very clearly that this could help define the optimum HHI (Hybrid Human Interface), and the optimum mix of gas to electric for optimum mileage. Which the world needs very badly right now, as we approach the peak oil period of human history.
Insight owners represent the first generation of drivers of an automobile that is potentially the model for all autos in the future. Many of you have shown in a remarkable way how important driver skill is in the efficiency equation.
The Hybrid car offerings of the major carmakers do not allow the driver to fully control the hybrid systems, and therefore learn to drive the hybrid mix to full advantage.
So my goal is to force them to offer a MIMA like option or an improvement in their future Hybrids.
Although I could use some money right now (Who couldn’t), I will stick to my assertion that I want to share MIMA with everyone that wants to take the risk and will not mark it up trying to make lots of money.
In any product there is what is called the NRE or Non Repeating Engineering cost. This total cost needs to be amortized over the number of units that you intend to sell, or the whole endeavor becomes a big waste of time and Money
I have maybe 20 people that want this thing without even asking what it will cost. Without them, I may have stopped this weeks ago.
To find the fair price point that considers the NRE, all the time to prepare the kits, parts ordering and inventory control, time to build the boards and test them, shipping cost. Time to prepare good clear instructions, future development and improvements in the software, we need to ask what is a fair price for MIMA, and how many people want one so we can figure out how to amortize the NRE.
I have too much to do to finish MIMA, to worry about this any more at this time. If someone will take the time to do a poll of what people feel is a fair price for MIMA in the different configurations that I have outlined in the “ How do you want your MIMA thread”, it would be invaluable in determining what I should charge for MIMA,let me know how many people are going to me willing to buy one and within reason I will try to base the actual price on the results of the poll.
On March 4, I said:
"Ballpark estimate is that the MIMA_C Version 1 Kit including the programmed Micro with PC card and parts should be under $100, and could be as little as $40. "
I was pretty close, the parts look like they will come in at the $85-$100 range, to be adjusted up or down when I get prices for the PC cards.(very quantity based)
As an engineering professional, I have been through this difficult part of a product development many times before, and would like to try something different with MIMA.
As I have stated many times, I am developing MIMA because I want one, and can see very clearly that this could help define the optimum HHI (Hybrid Human Interface), and the optimum mix of gas to electric for optimum mileage. Which the world needs very badly right now, as we approach the peak oil period of human history.
Insight owners represent the first generation of drivers of an automobile that is potentially the model for all autos in the future. Many of you have shown in a remarkable way how important driver skill is in the efficiency equation.
The Hybrid car offerings of the major carmakers do not allow the driver to fully control the hybrid systems, and therefore learn to drive the hybrid mix to full advantage.
So my goal is to force them to offer a MIMA like option or an improvement in their future Hybrids.
Although I could use some money right now (Who couldn’t), I will stick to my assertion that I want to share MIMA with everyone that wants to take the risk and will not mark it up trying to make lots of money.
In any product there is what is called the NRE or Non Repeating Engineering cost. This total cost needs to be amortized over the number of units that you intend to sell, or the whole endeavor becomes a big waste of time and Money
I have maybe 20 people that want this thing without even asking what it will cost. Without them, I may have stopped this weeks ago.
To find the fair price point that considers the NRE, all the time to prepare the kits, parts ordering and inventory control, time to build the boards and test them, shipping cost. Time to prepare good clear instructions, future development and improvements in the software, we need to ask what is a fair price for MIMA, and how many people want one so we can figure out how to amortize the NRE.
I have too much to do to finish MIMA, to worry about this any more at this time. If someone will take the time to do a poll of what people feel is a fair price for MIMA in the different configurations that I have outlined in the “ How do you want your MIMA thread”, it would be invaluable in determining what I should charge for MIMA,let me know how many people are going to me willing to buy one and within reason I will try to base the actual price on the results of the poll.