KS: DuoTrac - World's First Swing Analyzer and Footwork Sensor

Firmware, App, and Shipping Updates
over 9 years ago – Fri, Aug 05, 2016 at 03:18:47 PM

Hey Backers!

We try to be pretty transparent with how things are going with DuoTrac. After all, we’re in this together. Your support and enthusiasm coupled with our daily effort are steadily bringing DuoTrac to completion.

Since our last update, we’ve been working as hard as ever! Amidst testing sensors, writing software, and juggling the many tasks involved in starting up a business, we’ve been neck deep in the manufacturing process. We’ve now got a heap of things to share with you.

Our Updated Schedule

DuoTrac units are going out in stages, so don’t fret if you haven’t heard from us yet. We had a new batch of DuoTrac golf orders arrive our offices July 28th and shipping confirmation emails are starting to go out. DuoTrac users have already reported a few minor issues that we’re working to solve. Our engineers are working on the fixes and will release a new build early next week to officially go live August 15th with both Android and iOS. As soon as we have resolved these user issues, we’ll send the latest firmware update to our factories to load them into the DuoTrac sensors.

Our production line is humming along. It takes about 3 weeks for a single DuoTrac kit to be manufactured, assembled, boxed up, and shipped to our distribution center, so it’s taking us a little while to iron out the whole process. We appreciate your patience while we slowly ramp up production to make sure each DuoTrac golf 4D kit meets a high production quality.

Firmware

We humans implicitly understand when something is shaking or sitting still, but to an electronic device, it’s all just a rapid stream of numbers that represent force. So we have to figure out exactly what pattern of numbers represents what a swing looks like to our sensors and this is no small feat. Since our last update, we’ve had to rewrite the firmware twice. We noticed that some devices connect perfectly fine, while others need some extra troubleshooting which is what we have tackled. We are expecting a new build next week, but firmware updates will happen through the app as necessary.

Our engineers have been managing sensor readings, writing a lot of this all from scratch. Lately, they’ve been fixing the bugs that field-testing shook out. DuoTrac will keep getting better even after it ships thanks to over-the-air updates, but that depends on first having rock-solid communication.

DuoTrac Golf App

The DuoTrac Golf iOS App and Android App are not yet available in the App Store. We’ve already submitted and been approved by Apple and Google, but have not gone live yet while upgrading our app features. For the moment, iOS and Android users who receive DuoTrac early will be able to charge their sensors and prepare for use. The app is available exclusively to those who have already received their sensors. You will be able to download the app even before we go live and it appears in the App Store or Google Play Store.

Keep your eyes peeled for updates to the DuoTrac golf Android and iOS apps. As backers, please send us your support requests and keep us informed about the bugs and other problems you may be facing. We will be rolling out updates to fix issues you may be experiencing.

For now, our primary task is shipping out DuoTrac and providing constant technical support. Things are happening fast now, so we’ll be updating you about your order shortly.

See you next week!

Team DuoTrac

Schedule, Shipping Update, and More
over 9 years ago – Wed, Jul 06, 2016 at 04:57:46 PM

Hey Backers!

Over the last few weeks, we’ve ironed out tons of issues. Designing, sourcing, and manufacturing thousands of DuoTrac kits is no small feat. Since our Kickstarter campaign, we’ve been up against the wall, working around the clock to produce and distribute all our DuoTrac units in just a few short months. We’ve had to modify our original design for mass-manufacturing and, at the same time, balance additional features with our tight schedule.

We wanted to have the DuoTrac kits out to all of our backers by the start of the golf season, but more than that, we want to ship the best DuoTrac kit possible. In order to accommodate the required changes, new features, and manufacturing duration, we have had to shift our ship date.

We’re putting the finishing touches for the first edition DuoTrac kits now, trying to squeeze in a few key features without delaying any further, but time is against us. We want to nail down every last detail before announcing anything.

Our Updated Schedule

We expected to begin shipping out units to all Kickstarter backers last week, but after a few weeks of field testing, we noticed that our sensors were too sensitive and had to dial down the initiation for actual swings. As a result, we’ve had to rewrite our firmware so that the sensors don’t engage with outside forces. It is our duty as the forefront of multi-point, motion-tracking sensor technology to provide only the most accurate and highest-quality technology to our backers. Therefore, we’re going to ship DuoTrac only when we know it’s great. Our chips are ready to be cased. We’re now just waiting to load in the new firmware.

After about two weeks of rewriting our firmware and loading it in, if all goes well, we’ll set in motion the wheels of full production:

• Molding and sonically welding the casing permanently together – one week
• Software installation – one week
• Packing, shipping – one week

Our schedule is driven by the firmware, but this doesn’t mention the ongoing work on the hardware development, packing, and other fronts.

We want to thank everyone for their patience and support. Know that we’re pouring our hearts into this project. We’d like to share a few details about why we’ve pushed the estimated delivery date and what we’ve done behind the scenes to improve the DuoTrac golf experience since our Kickstarter.

Hardware

We are currently rolling all of our improvements into the design for our fourth revision. We’re really excited about all that’s being accomplished as not only is it very close to the final production version, but our hardware engineers are working extra hard to make the DuoTrac sensors more accurate than originally planned and quicker to process the information with less latency.

Software

Software work is progressing well. We’ve reached a point where features are being added very quickly. The firmware connection and stability has been one of the biggest delays of our release. We’re proud to state that we are now stable and able to smooth out the bugs faster because we now have the stability in our build. So by the time we are ready to ship out your order, you will be all set to get out there and begin swinging!

Manufacturing

Nothing is more important to us than making sure that each DuoTrac 4D kit is as accurate as possible, so every component of the sensors (both aesthetic and functional) needs to be tested and inspected thoroughly and carefully during the assembly process. Even before the sensor components hit the production line, a talented team of Quality Control people inspect each and every component from individual electronic chips to the sensor casing.

The majority of the remaining work is now in the hands of our 2nd manufacturer who’s molding and sonically welding the casing permanently together.

Getting DuoTrac in your hands

We hope it’s evident how much work has gone into DuoTrac Golf so far. Through our updates, you can see how we’ve adjusted to meet the exceptional demand from our Kickstarter backers, and the love and sweat that we’re putting into making DuoTrac great now and for the future. We’re starting to sound like a broken record, but it is so important to us that DuoTrac works as well as it should. We won’t ship an unfinished product – it would only be expensive and frustrating for everyone involved. The scale on which you guys made DuoTrac Golf successful has made us take a step back, evaluate where we are, and create our best estimate for a new ship date.

Between now and then, we will continue to conquer each bump and bruise that lays in our path step by step. We will continue with our regular updates to keep you in the loop so that you may share all of our victories and setbacks along the way. Since November, DuoTrac has come a very long way. We’re excited to share the rest of that journey with you, so stay tuned.

Until Next Time,

DuoTrac Team

Manufacturing & Mass Production Updates
almost 10 years ago – Fri, Jun 17, 2016 at 04:14:23 PM

Hey Backers!

As we mentioned in our last update, we want a flawless product launch! We’re working quickly, but don’t want to compromise on quality. Since we want to minimize any unforeseen issues during this first run deployment, we are diligently working through many procedures: addressing bugs and fixes now from the feedback we have received from our Beta Testers before we continue forward with our deliveries. We have had some delays in our firmware and software as we have had to work through a few bug related issues with the sensor Bluetooth connectivity.

We'll be sending out the entire first batch to our Kickstarter backers within the next few weeks. We’re testing each and every one of the DuoTrac Kits to ensure that there are no glitches or defects. After waiting 1-2 weeks to hear back from all our Kickstarter backers and to work out any unforeseen kinks (given that there aren’t any major issues), we’ll deploy the balance out to you. There are still some issues we need to work out, but we’re glad to say we've made it this far. We apologize for being overly optimistic about our shipment dates. As soon as we are 100% confident we can ship by a specific date, we will announce it right here in our Updates section.

Manufacturing

Planning and scheduling a major manufacturing project is complex. We're working hard to complete the interconnected tasks that make up the production and supply chain process. For all of us, including hardware engineers, software engineers, mathematicians, UI and UX designers on the project, a large percentage of our time is spent testing and calibrating complex algorithms filled with component procedures for PCB Chips, accelerometers & gyros, keeping within dimensions of hardware requirements the size of a pin head and then condensing it all down to a reliable and easy to use app. Not super exciting. That's why we've decided to share the more interesting stuff (photos, video and more!) in updates.

 Tidbits from around the DuoTrac world

• Shipping test has been working out well. We sent a few test shipments to test our logistics provider to optimize the process to ensure that packages arrive safely, quickly, and with as few fees as possible to our backers.
• We received incredible feedback response from our 500+ iOS BETA-Testers for our beta app. Thanks to all who participated for providing us with such informative insight into how we can better improve our app.
• Our iOS and Android app versions are approved! Unfortunately, they won’t do anything until you’ve received your DuoTrac Sensors, but rest assured that the app exists and is patiently waiting for you.
• DuoTrac has recently signed on BigBang Golf as its distributor, exclusively in Sub-Saharan Africa. BigBang Golf will also become the Exclusive provider of service and support in this region.
• We are air freighting DuoTrac across the Pacific to our US distribution center. It’s exciting to see the various states of readiness. It’s going to take some time before we reach our maximum capacity, but we’re getting there.

One last thing – We apologize for being overly optimistic about our shipment dates. We know the golf season has already begun, but do not fret. Cool perk – DuoTrac can be used anywhere! This means at your office, home, range, or wherever you please! No balls are necessary to take practice swings to receive improvement-driven data. Practice your golf swing all year round at your convenience.

Thanks for the support, everyone!

Team DuoTrac  

The Golf Coach In Your Pocket
almost 10 years ago – Wed, May 25, 2016 at 07:09:02 PM

Hey Backers!

There's a lot happening here, so let's jump in:

The Golf Coach In Your Pocket

Discover what makes DuoTrac so cool with its newly updated app features including Coaching Drills!

T-Mobile Spotlight - Featuring DuoTrac

T-Mobile recognizes companies who share in the groundbreaking ideas T-Mobile represents. They have tracked DuoTrac down, admiring our revolutionary technology for breaking the rules and challenging convention! Check us out on T-Mobile's Spotlight!

CONGRATULATIONS BACKERS!

We've SOLD OUT of our 1st production run of 2,000 units!

We are truly thrilled to bring DuoTrac to all of you. We will be dividing our initial wave of 2,000 units into 2 group deliveries. The first group of our initial wave will consist of the 250 backers who pledged DuoTrac at the very beginning during our Kickstarter Campaign!

Foremost, we want a flawless product launch with 100% perfect product going out to our backers, with no defects. While we believe our initial production run to be well designed and performing, it has not been proven in volume production. We plan to minimize any unforeseen issues during this first run deployment through a planned release. This mean the first 250 will be shipped out end of month – Early June. Afterwards, we will wait 1-2 weeks with the hopes that if there are any issues, we may fix any mass production related problems before releasing the remaining 1,750 sold-out units. After we deploy the 1st run, we will then manufacture 5,000 units, releasing and following the same structure.

 

Until Next Time,

Team CoachLabs

Mini-Update for all DuoTrac Backers
almost 10 years ago – Thu, Apr 28, 2016 at 11:30:29 PM

Hey Backers!

Quick update today, so let's jump right in:

Where is my DuoTrac Kit?

Thank You so much for your support! We will be shipping by the end of May. We have some added features that we want to have in this first release. We are also working to get all the bugs out while the factory is manufacturing the sensors as we speak. We are so excited and just as anxious as all of you. Thanks for your patience while we build you an amazing product.

Where is the app?

The DuoTrac app is currently on iTunes Testflight developer mode. We received an approval for our app over a month ago, but are still making changes to it by adding some additional features before we make it live and free for download. We will keep you posted as to when you can start downloading the app! The Android version of DuoTrac will be available by the end of May.

If you have any suggestions to make the app experience better with functions you would like to see, then feel free to write to us!

If you haven’t done so yet, check out our user-friendly app here:

What's next?

After our first wave of deliveries, we’re certain we’ll receive lots of feedback, praise, and critiques. We are deeply thankful to all of you for sharing this journey with us by being a part of DuoTrac’s first step. We are constantly and carefully listening to all of you in order to continually improve DuoTrac’s accuracy and performance.

Feel free to contact us at [email protected] if you have any positive or negative feedback. We’re here to develop the best DuoTrac experience for all of our users and would love to hear from you!

That's all for now! Until next time,

Team CoachLabs