Anatomy of a Product Pitch

Here's the great product pitch again:

"I have a great idea on how to never lose my keys. I'm building a robot that can detect and then deliver them to me. I built a prototype - it's simple but it moves and I can see what the structure may be like. The robot would have a sensor drawn to another on my keychain, and have arms to pick up the keys. After I figure out the actual mechanics of it, I want to explore some ideas for it to be able to recognize where I gave it the order and return to that same location. I'll never have to rummage through my clothes again!"

Let's dissect it to see what makes up a great product pitch.

1. State the Problem

The other pitches introduced the robot first, but you want to open with the problem you're trying to solve. It takes a lot of money, research, time and people to build a functional robot and no one would expect one person to build a robot that operates 100%, or even 10% sometimes. Even if you were very confident in your prototype, when you introduce it to a team, budgets, and the changing landscape of robotics, the prototype will change.

What is unlikely to change is the problem you want to solve, in this case: the simple act of avoiding frustration and not wasting time finding misplaced keys.

Make It Better

You can take this even further, by relating the pitch to your audience. If you're interviewing at a healthcare robotics company, could you talk about ideas on how to use this to help people with dementia find things? Or help surgeons find operating tools immediately? Tell the employer that you recognize the problems, and how your robot can be a solution.

2. Demonstrate Your Excitement - You're Working on Something Important

If you're not excited about your project, then no one else will be. If you don't tell people why your product is important, they may not be able to understand it.

Excitement isn't just using the words "I have a great idea." It comes out in your tone, the amount of research you've done, the amount of thought you've put in. Have you thought about what comes next after you have a working prototype? What are your long-term ideas?

In this case, the person indicated in their pitch that their second wave of building will be around the robot recognizing orders and location. They have thought about the larger possibilities for this small prototype.

Make It Better

If this was your pitch, you can improve it by tying in tools, concepts and implementations. Did you recently read a study on best practices for giving robots orders? Have you thought about vocal orders compared to text input, or a button? Does this give you concrete ideas on how to build your robot?

You don't need to have a 10-year plan for your robot. You just want to demonstrate that you've thought about the possibilities past today.

Even if you don't want to continue working on your robot, you can still discuss ideas. They may resonate well with an employer and their working prototypes!

3. Talk, Talk and Talk About Your Robot

We told you this pitch wasn't the best just because it was the longest - but you should talk about your prototype! You've built something, and you should know it well. Continue investing in your robot and telling people about it. Over time, all the ideas and intricacies of your prototype and robot concept will be imprinted in your memory.

At this point, you develop a muscle memory about your project. This is when your pitch turns from something you have to intentionally remember and communicate to becoming a natural part of how you interact and thrive in the robotics world.

• You're reading a new study about human-interaction robots and are able to connect these ideas to improving your robot.

• You're listening to a roboticist talk about their project and are able to draw parallels to yours. This is how collaboration can start.

• You're applying to a job and only need a few minutes to describe your project in the cover letter because you know it so well.

What's more … as you build more prototypes, it becomes easier for you to develop the product pitches for them. You're talking and walking like a roboticist now!