Thirteen-Fiftysix is a wristband that integrates NFC technology to provide different interactions with your smartphone. After prototyping, the product was launched for funding on Kickstarter last Monday, 16th of September, with a goal of £20,000.
The project has been developed by a group of third-year students from my architecture school and an engineering student, from Málaga, Spain.
They are Carlos Brito, Sergio Chacón, Alejandro Marín, Pedro Martínez, Guillermo Medina and Juan Carlos Ruiz. In their own words, 13.56 is:
A new revolutionary product that brings personal technology to your wrist, control, and protection of your smartphone.
If you want information about Thirteen-Fiftysix you can go to Kickstarter or to Xataka. My point here is not to describe the product itself, but to highlight the achievement that these guys have accomplished.
Innovation is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. — Thomas Edison
The important part is that the team, as they say, has gone from concept to product in just six months, from idea to execution. Good ideas are everywhere, but generally, there is a lack of execution, a tendency to leave things unfinished. One of the most difficult parts of any personal project is to move ideas forward to something ready to ship. Without mandatory deadlines, and when you are your own boss, it is really easy to get stuck for any given reason. As Seth Godin calls it, this is the Fear of Shipping:
Every time you raise your hand, send an email, launch a product or make a suggestion, you're exposing yourself to criticism. Not just criticism, but the negative consequences that come with wasting money, annoying someone in power, or making a fool of yourself.
It's no wonder we're afraid to ship.
— Seth Godin
Some people will love the product. Some people will criticize it. But the importance relies on the commitment to an idea, developing it, and shipping it.
As I just did, I invite you to back Thirteen-Fiftysix on Kickstarter, with any amount you can or even just tweeting this article to spread the word. Thanks to my cousin for telling me about this project.