Core77

Rob Honeycutt's USA-made 'Elroy' Customizable Bluetooth Earbud+Remote

By Ray Hu - January 4, 2013

in Kickstarter | Consumer Electronics

As the founder of Timbuk2, Rob Honeycutt spent over a decade and a half in the messenger bag industry, before selling the company to move on to his next venture. The former bicycle messenger has since turned his attention to the 21st Century (/First World) problem of cable management for the earbud-tethered masses. Not content to incorporate low-tech clips into zipper pulls and buttons, he recently launched a Kickstarter campaign for his most ambitious solution to date. Known as the Elroy (the logo refers to the Jetsons character's helmet), it's essentially a customizable Bluetooth remote that attacks the problem at its source: the cord itself.

The clip-on device is roughly the size of a lighter, featuring a customizable the front panel—the ten options at launch range from faux snakeskin to a meme-y gray tabby—which belies its touch functionality: tap to answer a call, swipe for volume, etc. A complementary pair of earbuds has a short cord; magnets on the sides of the Elroy hold the 'buds in place when not in use.

While I must admit I didn't know that Timbuk2 was a pioneer of the personal customization trend (circa the mid-90's), I agree that portable music players and smartphones are an obvious market for personal expression via accessories. Similarly, I didn't realize that Honeycutt was a champion of American manufacturing:At Timbuk2 [where I applied mass customization], I was able to take orders for mass customized product online and ship product, usually within 24 hours. I've run manufacturing in the US in an industry with products requiring high labor content. I've worked with both domestic manufacturing and off-shore manufacturing across a wide variety of products...

I personally spent well over 10,000 hours doing actual line production at Timbuk2. I understand on a personal and visceral level what production workers face on a daily basis. I know how to transform what has the potential to be a meaningless drudgery into a meaningful and engaging work experience.

Unfortunately, they've only raised a fraction of the $150,000 they're seeking as of press time (about 1/25, to be precise), and, at more than halfway through their campaign, it seems unlikely that they'll raise $144 large in under two weeks.

In any case, if you find the Elroy remotely interesting, be sure to check out our recent interview with designer Brook Banham on the occasion of the launch of his independent design studio.

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Dan

9 years ago

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Unfortunately he has taken everyone for a ride, hasn't produced the product and cant refund the backers, He made a lovely total of $144,463. Absolute scam and he is still trying to sell a product he cant even build on a separate website.
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scb

11 years ago

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rob and tim. nice improvement to the design. good design wins after all ;-)
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Tim Evans

11 years ago

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Elroy relaunched today on Kickstarter with much better results. Check it out.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/363428889/bluetooth-earbuds-w-magnetic-docking-made-in-usa
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Jon

11 years ago

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Rob I applaud your effort in helping to reduce the rut of manufacturing that we've put ourselves in. Creating better working and manufacturing conditions is a great way to reduce the need for child labour and terrible working conditions overseas. Great humanitarian project.

I do however agree with some of the other comments - the design in terms of form and ergonomics is average, and graphics are much too 'walmart' for me. With your concept, experience and vision this could be a high-end, high-class product. Unfortunately the design doesn't do your vision justice, and looks more like it would be sold on a gas-station rotating stand.

Nonetheless, I wish you all the best.
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Charley gee

11 years ago

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Sorry, IMHO the exit line from your device is a touch frankenstinan at first look. Too bad the symmetry is shot. Striving for elegance but clunky, the 90 degree angle is a statement in poor design or the current limits in manufacturing. All in my very own opinion.
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Eric

11 years ago

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I like the concept, but not crazy about kittly kats and stuff, and it still has wires, There are much more compact Bluetooth options available today with out wires. Could be useful for your home stereo however.
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Rob Honeycutt

11 years ago

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SBC... In my personal opinion, too many KS projects are nothing more than product launches. Ultimately they're going to put themselves into conflict with companies like Engadget whose job it is to present new products that are launching. What I'm running is an actual project with the intent to set up a manufacturing facility.

I respect your opinion on the design, but I have to say that Brook Banham is a top notch designer. I would refer you to his website at Middlecott.com. I think you'll agree with me.

The story I'm trying to tell with Elroy is that, I believe, design has to go past where it is now. It's all well and good to create a beautiful product as if it were a piece of art. But in a way, isn't that a little self indulgent on the part of the designer? I believe products should have the ability to adapt to the consumer. That's what we're doing with Mass Customization.

The other part of the story here is about HOW products are made. There are so many complaints about labor conditions in Asia but, quite honestly, consumers don't yet have a choice, and consumer electronics brands are not stepping forth to actually do anything about it. I'm saying that I know how to make products. I know how to run highly efficient manufacturing, and I can make this product in the US under far better conditions. That gives consumers a real choice in the market.

Is this going to be the best designed, best quality product first round? Probably not. But it will be something completely different. I think that's something consumers will find valuable.
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scb

11 years ago

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bluetooth headphones have always been disappointing. i really feel you have something here, but unfortunately the design has ruined the opportunity. the form factor, materials, and detailing isn't up to par with successful KS projects. And the graphics are really cheesy. This might sell well in walmart, but not on KS. KS expects minimal/refined designs reminiscent of apple products. if the design was nicer i'd think about backing. again, i'm surprised to see this type of exposure on a "design" blog such as core77 - where people come for inspiration
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Rob Honeycutt

11 years ago

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We got caught behind the curve with the holiday season and lost about 1.5 weeks of our campaign to xmas. BUT we have a lot of articles coming out this week and I feel confident that we will be able to reach our goal.

We've had a very strong conversion rate for video views converting to backers, so people seem to be readily accepting the product concept and like the story.

Please don't let the funding level stop you from getting on to back the project. It's a very worthwhile initiative. Thanks!!
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