There have been more times than I can count that a person I was with, or someone told me of a time, that they parked their car in a large parking area and could not remember where they parked their car. Subsequently they then spent wasted minutes looking for their vehicle, sometimes for quite awhile. This scenario can be very annoying, especially if the driver has children with them, or a large amount of merchandise they may have purchased. A type of remote car finder would be an ideal solution.
Idea Screening:
A solution to this problem would be a remote access car finder that would have a movable base that can be put on the vehicle's dashboard which emits a signal. The driver would have a device that can be attached to their keychain, put in their pocket, or their purse, that receives the signal and directs the driver to their vehicle with a compass-like technology. This product will keep drivers from wasting precious time looking for their vehicles, especially at night when safety may be an issue.
Concept Development and Testing:
The Remote Automobile Finder solves the problem of being forgetful of where the consumer parked their vehicle, and gives them confidence when parking farther away from their destination than they may like to. To test this concept, a booth would be set up at large shopping centers, theme parks, and other places with very large parking areas, with the product available for consumers to test and see how it functions. There would be someone on hand at these booths to answer any questions about the product the consumers may have as well.
Marketing Strategy and Development:
The target market for this product would be anyone who drives a vehicle, and may have a tendency to forget where they parked when in a large parking area. This could be man, woman, older, or younger. The price of the Remote Automobile Finder would be set somewhere around the $40-$60 range and would initially be available in a black color, and possibly more colors dependent on the success of the product. One base, and two remote finders would come with the package deal.
Business Analysis:
The initial research and development as well as cost to produce the Remote Automobile Finder would not be extremely great due to the fact that all of the technology involved in the product already exists. The housing and aesthetic view would be the most important decisions to be made, which would affect the projected future sales and earnings of the product. With an estimated low development cost, the potential revenue and profit margin could be substantial providing the Remote Automobile Finder catches on in the mainstream.
Product Development:
In the product development stage, prototypes made from a durable lightweight plastic, and reliable electronic components would be produced. The product's size, appeal, durability, and effectiveness would be kept in mind in this stage at all times. Rigorous testing would be done to establish the products value and reliability, and make sure that it is ready to be brought to market for public use.
Test Marketing:
To test the market for the Remote Automobile Finder, the product would be placed in electronic retail stores and outlets at strategic locations throughout the U.S. to establish consumer interest and demand. Depending on the results, the product would then be reevaluated and any needed adjustments would be made according to consumer feedback. All of the surveying and feedback from the consumer is taken into account, and the product adjustments will be finalized and production will be put into motion.
Commercialization:
Once the Remote Automobile Finder is brought to market, it will be sold at electronic retailers such as Best Buy and Radio Shack, as well as other retailers such as Walmart, Target, Sears and others. Online sales will also be a target market with websites such as Amazon.com, TigerDirect.com, and many more. The Remote Automobile Finder will be advertised in strategic magazines, on web sites, and on limited television commercials as well.
