Electronics Bazaar features our company, announces Hawkeye product launch

Electronics Bazaar Magazine, March 2012 issue features our company under 'South Special' section. Also they announce the launch of our 'Hawkeye - Industrial/Farm Security and Intrusion Detection System' under 'New Products' section.

Click to Enlarge Image

Click to Enlarge Image

Off-track: Student projects at Ideas Unlimited

At Ideas Unlimited, we provide hands on training and mentoring (apprenticeship) to a few students every year (based on our spare bandwidth). In this post, we want to showcase some innovative storage concepts developed by a Diploma student in our lab.

Magazine Rack made with MDF board, using hand tools!

Step 1	Step2
Step 3	Step 4
Step 5	Step 6
Final product, the magazine rack in use!

The entire fabrication was done by just using hand tools below.

All the hand tools used to make both the projects by Sunaag

Small book shelf designed with available material!

Design Drawing of the shelf

The book shelf below was made with available raw material, design adjusted to size and then made into a usable shelf!

Step 1	Step 2
Step 3
Step 4	Step 5
Step 6	Done!

The above storage concepts were designed at Ideas Unlimited. The concepts were fabricated by Sunaag A R, studying at Government CPC Polytechnic, Mysore (Studying 2nd Semester - Machine Tools and Technology branch). Sunaag is also working on developing some test jigs and fixtures for testing electronic modules.  Sunaag can be contacted at: sunaag.arveti@gmail.com

EFY Magazine Feb 2012 Issue writes about the launch of our Movement Sensor to handle Air Conditioner

EFY, Feb 2012 publishes about our Movement Sensor Switch which can handle Air conditioners on detecting no occupancy in the room. Click on the image below to read...

Product display rack that illuminates itself as customers pass by it!

In this novel concept, we have combined a Movement Sensor Switch from Ideas Unlimited to control an LED Lights Illuminated Product display rack from Meraaki Design, Mysore. We are looking to make use of the Movement Sensor Switch in applications beyond energy saving, for various other useful utility and smart applications.

Display rack illuminates itself on sensing people!

The product showcase has concealed LED lighting in each rack to illuminate the products/books kept in each rack.



Video of the illuminated display rack that senses people nearby and illuminates itself.
The demo video  shows how the rack on detecting a customer passing by it, automatically illuminates itself!



In the above video:

LED Illuminated Display Rack designed by:
MERAAKI DESIGN, Mysore
Contact:  Karthik Mani
Tel: 98800-19312
e-mail: kartikmani_2004@yahoo.co.in


The Movement Sensor Switches used in this video are from  Ideas Unlimited, Mysore.
Contact e-mail: info@ideas-unlimited.in

Relevance of Energy Saving in present times

We are planning to write a comprehensive White-Paper on Energy Saving using non-conventional methods like the usage of Movement Sensor Switches. In this regard we are inviting feedback from consumers, users and in general anyone who has an interest in energy saving.

We invite you to leave a comment on our blog or feel free to get in touch with our contact mail info@ideas-unlimited.in

We have a few points to say about Energy Consumption (directly related to your carbon footprint) and ways to reduce it. Some of the points are discussed in this blog post. The White paper will provide much more details.

Energy Conservation - A better alternative to production?
Traditionally the way of reducing energy dependence has been to generate energy using non-conventional means like Solar Power, Solar water heating, Alternate Fuels, etc. However, except for a few clean technologies which have high initial costs and low rate of ROI, some of the energy generation technologies add to the carbon footprints. Alternate fuels, though reducing dependence on Petroleum, do generate carbon in the process of converting fuel into energy. Then there is also a recurring cost on such fuels as well.

So what is the other way of looking at it? Conserving Wasted Energy is a big and clean way to reduce carbon foot-prints due to reduced consumption, rather than completely depending on more energy generation all the time.

What will be the typical ROI (Return on Investment) ?
As a first step towards this effort, we have created a Simple and Easy to Use ROI (Return on Investment) Calculator.

You can download the ROI calculator from our website by clicking on the link below:

Return on Investment Calculator Sheet

The ROI sheet provides up to 10 rows for providing data of your wasted energy in places where lights are forced to be left on for long duration (24 hours, through the night- 12 hours, 8 hours etc) along with the number of such lights and its power consumption in Watts and also the duration for which it is left on in a day.

The sheet also provides a field to input your current electricity tariff which you can type in.

As you feed the data, the sheet computes your energy wastage footprint and automatically provides you with the potential savings you can do by simply reducing wasted power! Here our Movement Sensor Switch products can help!

Relevance of Energy Saving in Present times:
In this era of global economic uncertainty and high inflation rates, Energy Saving and Conservation is becoming more and more relevant. A recent Times of India news article predicts based on recent developments that energy costs may go up by up to 35% across the country very soon!

Times of India: Jan 25, 2012: Get ready to pay more for power

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Get-ready-to-pay-more-for-power/articleshow/11623474.cms

The summary of the article published in TOI on 25-Jan-2012 is that due to the new costing structure for Coal across India, Cost of electricity production is expected to increase upto 35% across the nation. 

(Note: You can change the unit cost of electricity in the ROI Calculator sheet to new cost of electricity as well and see how much potential savings the Movement Sensor Switches can get in the near future too)

Conclusion:
Saving on wasted energy is something that is yet to catch on as a concept in India. In many western countries, several government level programs started decades ago have started to yield dividends today across the country.

As an afterthought, we want to leave you with this simple case study:

about more than a decade ago, the US government started an 'Energy Star' (Website link) program which specifically targeted energy wasted by computer monitors when left idle through the night or when nobody is using the computers. From this initiative was born the concept of monitors going to sleep when left idle for a long time and saving on a lot of energy! Today this simple but innovative features helps save several megawatts of power around the world and it is a de-facto feature in almost all computer monitors produced today. 

We welcome feedback on this post of ours. Feel free to post a reply message on this blog or get in touch with us at our e-mail id: info@ideas-unlimited.in 

Ideas Unlimited ties up with GREPI for promotion and imparting training on Energy Conservation Products

Ideas Unlimited has tied up with GREPI-Energy and Power India Private Limited, located in Mysore for imparting training and promotion of our Energy Conservation products like Movement Sensor Switches.

GREPI-Energy and Power Indian Private Limited is in the business of providing end-to-end solutions from Education and Training to installation and commissioning on Solar Power, Energy Saving, Non-conventional and Renewable Energy systems and Sustainable technologies and products. GREPI-Energy and Power India Private Limited, Mysore have recently established a training center on Clean Energy, Solar Electricity and Sustainable Technologies.

 GREPI provides a hands-on training with very well equipped labs on a very wide spectrum of the above mentioned technologies especially for people who want to take up these technology areas as a career.

GREPI is conducting an open-house at their premises on Sunday, 22nd January 2012, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM on their products, technologies and Services.

GREPI is located in Mysore at:


GREPI India,
Spl. Plot # 5, HIEMA Convention Center Road,
Hebbal Industrial Estate, Mysore 570016,
Karnataka, India
Phone: +91 0821 2512333
Website: http://www.grepinc.com/


About GREPI:

Global Renewable Energy & Power Incorporated (GREPI) is an emerging and entrepreneurial Clean Energy company with corporate headquarters in San Diego, California, U.S.A. The primary focus of the company is to provide end-to-end solution from Education and Training, Energy Efficiency, Manufacturing, Installation, Marketing, Sales and Service of LED and Solar based renewable energy solutions at the residential, commercial, government and power plant scale. GREPI is also involved in the Biofuel and Biomass based research and development by working with some of the experts in academia and industry.

18-Jan-2012: Prajavani, Leading Kannada Newspaper publishes article about our Movement Sensor Products

18-Jan-2012: Prajavani, Leading Kannada daily publishes an article on our Movement Sensor Switch product line.

Click on Link to view the scanned copy.

Ideas Unlimited launches 3 new products

We have just launched three new products!

One product has security and monitoring application and two other new products are used in energy saving applications.

From Left: 1) HAWKEYE 2) MS-102 Movement Sensor 3) MS-301 Movement Sensor

HAWKEYE: Industrial/Farm Security and Intrusion Detection System
MS-102: Compact External Fit type Movement Sensor Switch
MS-301: Movement Sensor Switch to control Air conditioner and heavy loads.

Full product details are posted on our website's Products section.

Seasons Greetings! Wishing you all a very Happy New Year 2012 and Makara Sankranti.

Sneak Peek: Industrial, Farm Security, Intrusion detection product - Hawkeye series from Ideas Unlimited

We have been working on many concepts for products based on Passive Infra Red Sensors. There is a huge potential for making useful applications because of the PIR sensors ability to detect living beings. We have been producing Movement Sensor Switches based on PIR sensors for Energy Saving applications with our MS101 and MS102  series products. We will continue to develop more energy saving applications.

Now, we are launching an entirely new product line called 'Hawkeye' series security product. With this, we are venturing into Industrial Security, Farm Security, perimeter/compound security and intrusion detection - security applications. The device keeps an eye on the installed area, and can switch on any kind of standard equipment (sirens, bright lamps) on noticing any living being movement.

Picture 1: The prototype of Hawkeye Intrusion Detection system.

The 'Hawkeye' industrial security system can drive any kind of standard 230V AC appliance as long as the total load does not exceed 600W.

Features of the product:
1. Detects living beings. (Humans, Animals etc)
2. Drives Standard security and alert devices (Ex: Halogen Lamps, Industrial Sirens etc) up to 600W
3. Reliable and has ultra-low standby power consumption.
4. Designed to work 24 X 7
5. Our design and software allows it to work even in outdoor environment during daytime in outdoor environment as long as direct sunlight doesn't fall on the sensor.
6. Compact Size! 125mm X 65 mm X 45 mm size
7. Designed to be installed by any electrician! 

Picture 2: Compact Size! The unit is much smaller than our MS101 Series External fit type Movement Sensor Switch.

Applications:

Industrial Security:
In a typical industrial security scenario the Hawkeye is connected to a Halogen lamp (150W-300W) and an Industrial Siren. On detecting an intruder the Hawkeye switches on the halogen lamp and siren. This deters the intruder and also alerts the security staff. These can be installed in industrial warehouses, godowns, industrial stores and at strategic and confidential information storage places of industrial and commercial buildings.

Picture 3: The 'Hawkeye' can drive standard, commercially available halogen lamps, Industrial Sirens and hooters etc.

The device can be armed by simply switching on power to it. It can be disarmed by switching off power to the device.

Farm Security and early warning:
Another scenario of using the device is in Farm security, where intrusion by any kind of animals (elephant, wild board herds) can be detected if installed at strategic points and the industrial siren can generate an early warning. We will be suggesting more innovative applications for use in farms as we progress with the product. 

Perimeter security, compound security and intrusion detection:
It can also be used for protecting strategic assets from intruders and in detecting intrusions within a perimeter or compound. These can also be used for intrusion detection in isolated residences in remote places.

On-going Further R&D:
We are also evaluating the sensor to try and see if it can detect snakes etc. Yet to complete testing and conclude results.
 For any product enquiries or other informatinal queries, contact sales@ideas-unlimited.in

Sneak Peek: Movement Sensor to control Air Conditioners in office cabins...

Taking further our product lines, we are hereby showing a sneak peek on the MS301 series Movement Sensor Switch (External Fit type) which can switch loads upto 2.2 kW. The prototypes shown in these pictures are undergoing field trials now and will be produced shortly. These switches can be used with most commercial Air conditioners (Split or otherwise) whose load does not exceed 2.2 kilo Watts.

The MS301 2.2kW Movement Sensor Switch prototype

Our earlier series of Movement Sensor Switches were designed for controlling for lower loads like lighting, fans etc.

MS101 Series - External fit type, upto 1000W

MS102 Series - Concealed fit type, upto 600W

Here we try to answer some commonly asked questions about the MS301 series.



Frequently Asked Questions:


Question1: Can I use it to control the air conditioner in my bedroom?

Answer: No, it is not designed for use in bedrooms... where avenues of energy savings are very low. It is instead designed to be used in office cabins with individual split air conditioners where energy savings potential is huge.

Question 2: What is the potential energy savings from using this in an office?

Answer: Consider a 2 kilo-watts rating air conditioner. Switching it off for an hour per day (when not in use) can save a potential of 2 units per day.... (This being a minimal 1 hour per day savings). This can save monthly approximately 60 units of power (Rs. 500 at commercial tarriff at the minimum) per month! In offices where there is potential of 2-4 hours savings on AC usage, per day and so the return on investment per month is very high between (Rs. 1000-2000 per month).

Question 3: Can it be used to switch any kind of load that is under 2.2 kW?

Answer: Yes! Though we cannot think of any energy saving in appliance other than Air conditioner for such a high load. Alternately it can be used to control lots of lightings in a public building etc (Say high wattage halogen lamps etc) as long as total load does not exceed 2.2kW.

MOU with Indus Biomedical Devices for joint development of a medical device

03-Nov-2011: Indus Biomedical Devices and Ideas Unlimited have signed an MOU for joint development of a Medical Device. More updates on this later.