Cruxlab, Inc.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Cruxlab’s scope initially started off as only doing the phone apps for the unicycle. We subcontracted the Bluetooth development to another team, but the process was slow and the developers at Crux were waiting for us to update the Bluetooth protocol so it was compatible with the app. We decided to use Crux and their expertise in embedded hardware to help us with the app and the Bluetooth protocol.

We tried to build both the iOS and Android app in parallel at the beginning. However, we paused the Android because there were a lot of changes and because most of the people in our company use an iPhone. When all the changes solidified, we resumed the Android app development. It’s easier to port it over rather than developing two things at the same time.

The app displays all the statistics about the unicycle. It shows the user their speed, distance traveled, and status of the device. It tells the user how much charge is left and how far they could go and includes an interactive map showing the presumed range. The user can configure the device from the app by turning features off, changing characteristics to make it faster, turning lights off and on, etc.

What is the team dynamic?

There were four or five people working on the app. I worked most with Kos and Phillip. When we changed the hardware developers from the external party to Cruxlab, I worked for a week and a half from their office to transfer the knowledge in person. We felt it would be useful for them to be on board with all the changes. They were really accommodating when I was there.

How did you come to work with Cruxlab?

One of my colleagues found them through online research and by speaking to different companies doing iOS development. They were helpful and quick to respond to our questions. Their knowledge of Bluetooth, as well as the price they quoted, helped us make our decision. Based on their level of support, their knowledge, and their value adds, we chose to go with Cruxlab.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in November 2015, and the project was completed in February 2017.

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our platform is Android and iOS mobile only. We wanted somebody that shared our vision of a clean, modern, simple, effective, and elegant solution for a problem that doesn’t need to be complicated.

We built and went to live iterations that were not in the negotiated service agreement that we most likely should have been charged a lot of extra money for, but we were not. We agreed it could be something we could work on forever, but you have to call it good at some point, so we reached that point about a month ago. Then Cruxlab worked on testing. We’re not releasing this version of the app because we made a modification to the density of the data that we collect which will require it to be presented in a different way. We’re going to keep approximately 90% of the app, but in a couple of months after we finish this next development cycle, we’re going to contract them again to make some modifications that make it ready for launch.

What is the team dynamic?

One of our VPs interacted with them daily. I worked with Constantine [CEO, Cruxlab] frequently, mostly on product updates, larger decisions, and some directional points. I exchanged multiple emails with him over the past three months. We approved the timeline and what needs to be on the apps. We had project reviews periodically.

How did you come to work with Cruxlab?

We worked with 4–5 other companies to get quotes and stumbled across Cruxlab in the very last phase of that research. Some were online and some were based here in L.A. We had a lot of meetings before we settled on Cruxlab. I looked for very particular things. If I can’t get a company on the phone that’s going to charge me between $100,000–$250,000, I’m not interested. After the first ring, Cruxlab answered the phone. They were knowledgeable and knew exactly how to build what I was asking them to build. They were confident enough with the somewhat vague description that I offered on day one. After a few days, they came back to me with a proposed direction, budget, and timeline. Their price was very competitive and we seemed to mesh well. One of my employees went up to meet them in person in Santa Monica. She had nothing but great things to say. I’ve never met Constantine in person, but my employee’s stamp of approval is good enough for me. That’s why we committed to them.

How much have you invested with them?

We have invested approximately $100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked together from April 2017 until July 2017.