It’s been over four years since we first became aware of the Moai robotic glass cleaner and we’re happy to learn that this project is still alive. This exciting and ambitious aquarium device is not just an automatic algae scraper, but its built in webcam will also allow owners to stream video of their aquarium, from any location on the glass!
If we’re being honest, crowdfunded aquarium devices and projects have a relatively dismal track record. The lack of success of kickstarter projects for aquarium controllers, kits and other accessories is a story of its own, worthy of a standalone post. But while reviewing these past campaigns we touched base with Moai and were delighted to discover that this is one project that is still progressing full steam ahead.
Besides the everyday challenge of designing for an entirely new product category, the team at Moai has faced challenges sourcing parts due to COVID and the trade wars but they are persevering nevertheless. Unlike so many crowdfunded aquarium projects, Moai has actually been fairly diligent at posting general updates about their progress with great details about what they’ve been up to.
It seems like Moai has really buttoned up a lot of the major milestones to achieve a successful product including packaging, magnets, the plastic injection molding and more. Lately Moai’s efforts have been focused on sourcing and programming an ideal camera sensor as well as integrating the necessary silicon to bring the entire smart device to market.
While the summer 2018 estimated ship date has long since past, it’s encouraging to know that the Moai may still see the light of an aquarium someday. It must be incredibly challenging to condense all the necessary hardware into a package the size of a typical aquarium algae cleaning magnet, but hopefully the continued perseverance of the Moai development team will succeed in living up to our collective expectations.
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