Dubai: We have come to the end of a journey that started with an idea to make a difference. The idea to make a real product sold on the market; but the journey was not without its ups and downs.
The first prototype was implemented on some of my own students years ago, but we almost had the plug pulled due to design and logistical issues. In the end my passion and determination have paid off because my dream has come true!
Of the 7,000 hopeful inventors who started on Stars of Science, I and three other finalists will battle it out live on TV on Thursday 8 November at 9pm on MBC4 for the top spot. I am the only survivor from the UAE although I am Lebanese.
During the last two stages of the contest I have had to change the way I think. I have had to shift my mind from that of an engineer to a designer and finally to a business man.
The home stretch
The business phase, without a doubt, was the most important because every product will have to differentiate itself from existing products and find a sufficient target market to be able to compete with the big players.
If I can not convince the end users of the uniqueness of the product I am offering then I do not stand a chance swimming with the sharks. That is why proper projections and financial analysis is the core of any business.
The business phase is where I had to carefully think about the potential target customers for my invention; which basically uses only one PC and a projector to transform more than 15 wooden tables into interactive computer systems.
I also had to name my invention and position it as a brand. I decided to go with ‘SHARED’ as it signifies the importance of sharing and utilising the same PC to maximise accessibility in a room setting.
Think on it
The two major objectives I had to carefully consider were the mission and the vision of the newly established company. My mission was to utilise the power of modern PCs and transform normal wooden tables into interactive computer systems in group settings to make digital content more engaging. My vision was a world where PCs will disappear into the shadows only to clone themselves into everyday surfaces.
This will give people an efficient and intriguing new way to get the information they are looking for. Since my invention was so unique and was a result of unmet needs, finding potential customers was the easy part. My potential customers included:
•Education Facilities: My invention can practically replace existing computer labs i.e. more computer resources to more students at a lower cost. It will also change the whole teaching and learning experience in normal classrooms by providing individualised student interactivity.
•Government Ministries of Education: The ministry of education might take initiatives to deploy SHARED in governmental public schools.
•Corporations: My invention will transform the traditional board room setting into an interactive system allowing collaboration and brain storming.
•Fine dining: Where our interactive ordering system will transform the quality and efficiency of dining service to yield more profits.
•Hospitality: My invention can induce a more immersive shopping and visitor experience.
What started as a spark of an idea has evolved into a real product that is ready to compete with other market giants. What started as a personal mission to help solve universal education, has become a product that will change the way we look at wooden tables everywhere. Those who cannot afford quality education get a chance to experience technology; while those fortunate enough to live in developed countries will experience new innovative ways of interactive teaching and learning.
For more information and support me in Stars of Science, watch the final show live on MBC4 at 8pm on Thursday. If you believe in my invention and want to make a difference in the future of our kids and also the unfortunate children in developing countries vote by SMS on XXXX. Voting is open from November 02 to 08. Or show support and join my Facebook fan page at: www.facebook.com/SupportMwatfa
-The author is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Wollongong in Dubai.
