1. World’s First Smart
Weather Camera
How to Develop an Innovative
Product by the Crowd Funding
Platform
Design and research by Zheng Xu & Team while at BloomSky
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Why We Did it
We believe in the Weather Revolution - a new way of
searching and engaging with weather that is finally
real-time, hyper-local, accurate, and most importantly,
gives us what we need the most - images of our sky.
Our vision is to change the way people access the
weather, by providing a next generation, multimedia,
crowdsourcing network that generates accurate,
hyperlocal weather information, creating an emotional
connection between our users and the weather.
What is the BloomSky
Weather Camera
BloomSky is a combination hardware-mobile network
that transforms users into personal weather stations.
State-of-the-art BloomSky sensors constantly track
temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, and UV
light exposure, and come equipped with an innovative
rain sensor and 170-degree adjustable camera. Users
can access all of this information from any sensor on
the BloomSky network right from the palm of their
hand, and literally see what the weather is like,
wherever they like.
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Following the ideation and user scenario, We
developed a series of prototypes to test
preliminary hypotheses around:
• Device Placement
• Attachment Methods
• Size & Configuration
• Activity & Functionality
Methodology Overview
Participants began by asking their typical day and
experiences regarding obtain weather information,
then they started by sharing their impressions and
experiences about the weather products and apps
they currently use. Next, they created their ideal
methods of device set-up. We then explored their
expectations for the usage of weather device in
locations. Multiple kits of parts (see image on right)
were used to facilitated the discussion, including
kits for: device placement, activation and size. In
closing, respondents
prioritized cards which
contained activities and
functionalities.
Areas of Research Focus
Respondent Recruiting
To explore the relevance of weather station
prototypes,props, and stimulus in context, the
team visited 2 respondents. Respondents were
screened to single house owner, town house
residents and apartment residents. The
respondents were asked questions regarding
their typical day and how they check the weather
in their activities.
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Activity Model
Respondents described their weather check routine for a
typical weekday. Although the details of each participant
varied, they outlined roughly the same routine. In the
morning, they check the weather to guide them what to
wear and what to take. Upon returning home in the
evening, the needs to check the weather gradually drop
down.
Research Findings
Device Placement
For the out device, I think I would put on the deck
of my house. Because I have a little more of
control over it. The problem with the backyard is
in the city we have raccoon problems. So I want
this to be durable. There’s also skunks and
possums.
“I want to make sure what
to wear, because the
Weather is very different
from SF to Mountain view”
Adam Lin
CEO
Married with 3 children
Live in San Francisco.CA
Who I Am
I live in San Francisco and my office
at Mountain View. I do check the
weather in the morning before I leave
the house. And I actually do that
right after I shower.
What is Important to me
I want to make sure what to wear when I
come out to Mountain View because the
weather is very different even though it’s an
hour away. So I’m always on the weather
report.
6. Built with
Performance
and Design
Sketches & Prototype
After extensive prototyping, we built
BloomSky to withstand extreme weather
conditions. It is completely resistant to
water, dust and sunlight.
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Getting the Feedback
Kickstarter Campaign
During the summer of 2014, we raised $128k through an
extremely successful Kickstarter Campaign that was
pivotal for meeting a supportive community of early
adapters and weather enthusiasts, developing our
prototypes, and securing early Venture Capital funding. In
2014, BloomSky Weather Camera was selected as 10
Kickstarter projects consumer will be buy by
techradar.com
Hear from Our Fans
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Beta Test
In the spring of 2015 we concluded a
successful Beta Test in the San Francisco
Bay Area, where our early users were
wowed by the time lapse videos, and real-
time relevancy of the data. We have made
significant product changes since then,
and are excited to bring you the first
market-ready BloomSky Personal Weather
Station with Sky Camera in the spring of
2015.
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Outdoor Station
The BloomSky Outdoor Station is more than just a weather station and an
HD sky camera in one. It is designed for the purpose of connecting to your
friends, loved ones, neighborhood, and favorite places to see the weather
in real time. The free mobile App lets you see the weather via an HD
camera taking snapshots of the sky every 5 minutes and gives a
spectacular time lapse footage at the end of each day, so your weather
becomes more than just a number! The BloomSky captures real-time,
hyperlocal information about Precipitation, UV, Barometric Pressure,
Humidity, and Temperature.
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Indoor Station
The BloomSky Outdoor Station is more than just a weather
station and an HD sky camera in one. It is designed for the
purpose of connecting to your friends, loved ones,
neighborhood, and favorite places to see the weather in real
time. The free mobile App lets you see the weather via an HD
camera taking snapshots of the sky every 5 minutes and gives
a spectacular time lapse footage at the end of each day, so
your weather becomes more than just a number! The
BloomSky captures real-time, hyperlocal information about
Precipitation, UV, Barometric Pressure, Humidity, and
Temperature.
17. Place the Station
Mount on structure or in the ground
with the Solar Panel and near WiFi
Point to the Sky
Find that perfect angle you want for
viewing your sky and sharing with
Join the Community
View weather and sky video from other
BloomSky stations and share you own.
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