Prototype Electronic Components

[Wing Commander]

Hi all

I wanted to pick your brains to see if anyone can nudge me in the right direction.

Basically, I want to get a prototype electronic device made. It's a extremely simple audio recording device. Key requirements for it are:

Small (think 20p size)
It does not need a screen of any type
I would like one big button on it (ideally the whole "face" of it is a button) - press the button to start recording, press again to stop the recording
When the device is recording, it needs to have a flashing light. I want it to be really obvious that it's recording.

Unsure about connections at this stage - minimum would be a hard connection ie USB-C but feel that is too big for this. Potentially, inductive charging and wifi/bluetooth for data transfer, ie similar to a smart ring. However, I am keen to keep this simple to keep cost down.

I have tried to look to see if there is anything similar, and the closest I have found is this:
https://amzn.eu/d/6QoAUqD

However, that has a magnetic body, which I am not interested in, and the recording is toggled on and off with a switch. I need a big button.

Nothing clandestine about this device at all - happy for any colour, and need it to have that flashing light also.

So, any links on where I can get such a thing, or how I would go about getting something made?

Thanks

Edit to add:
Something like this, but with a big push button would be ideal
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284066548290?chn=ps&amp...

Edited by Wing Commander on Wednesday 27th March 16:07

[Wing Commander]

ATG said:

What purpose does the prototype itself serve? E.g. are you going to show it to potential investors? Or do you just want to be convinced the thing can be built? Or do you want to use it to test usability? Or ... ?

Reason I ask is because you could easily build a working prototype the size of a cigarette package for a few quid, and you could mock up a dummy device the size of a 20p coin for a few quid. But a working device the size of a 20p coin will cost a small fortune.

This is basically a fun project I have that I would like to be able to monetise.

I would be my first customer, for sure, so to have a working prototype the right size and functionality is the main aim.

I was hoping there might be some sort of 3D printing/prototyping service which could do simple manufaturing like this. The electonics seem simple enough, as does the hardware. I am willing to forgo the wireless connectivity on the prototype.

Am thinking the electronics would be a circuitboard with microphone, battery, flashing light, toggle button, storage
Hardware I could fudge together some form of housing on my 3D printer

[Wing Commander]

LooneyTunes said:

Do you have the actual (fully working/documented) design or just requirements?

There are many small PCB fabricators that do low volume prototyping but if you need them to actually design the device then, unless it is very simple indeed and requires no software, you could be looking at proper money (and time to sort out IP ownership etc).

I've got nothing at all, beyond the idea in my head at this stage

[Wing Commander]

Mr Pointy said:

What is the intended use of this device - why do you think people will buy it?

Why does it need to be very small but button activated & with a flashing red light?

The only bit that I don't really want to mention at this stage is the use-case for this device as, if I can get something made, I want to be able to have a head start on the marketing and market share etc. Dare say that if it was popular, it would be extremely easy for it to be replicated and its a race to the bottom then.

I think people would buy it because I would buy it. I am my first customer, and if I ended up being the only customer, I wouldn't be unhappy about that, although that is why I wouldn't want to be investing huge sums to get a prototype sorted.

In terms of size, I realise I wasn't desperately clear. The cross section wants to be about a 20p/£1 coin size, but it can be thicker. The thickest I would want to go would be 2 lots of £1 coin stacked up.

The little light is to just have a very simple way of knowing the device is on and recording.

The push button is a super simple way of activating it, and the use-case dictates this rather than voice-activation or a switch

This device would be perfect for a prototype, if only it had a push button rather than a switch
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnetic-Activated-Record...