TGtS Meets... Rota-Motus

We've been talking to the team at Rota-Motus on technology, business and the future. Here's what they had to say...

What was the inspiration behind Rota-Motus?

We all have a tech background and we noticed that for high-end technology there were events you could go to see them but not experience them. If you’re investing hundreds or even thousands of pounds then a consumer would want to try a product out first. Also, as more and more retail is going online this limits our interaction with products that people want to buy. So we thought it would be good to start a technology experience centre which is part gadget show, part leisure centre.

Were there any obstacles when you were starting up?

There were few small issues, mainly to do with the background things like property and insurance, but not much in the way of the actual business. We have also been really lucky to have lots of support from other businesses and people within the Swindon area and everyone just wants us to succeed!

Tell us about the technologies you have at Rota-Motus?

At the moment we have AirBoards and AirWheels which are electronic self-balancing unicycles and boards which are great fun to get around on.

Virtual Reality including Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR which always amazes everyone once they try it out.

Our CEL Robox 3D printer which is one of the easiest to use on the market.

The MyndPlay EEG headset which allows you to control a helicopter (amongst other things) by just concentrating.

Do you have a favourite?

Jo loves the AirWheels just for the sheer practicality of them whereas Craig prefers the 3D printer - because it just ‘feels’ like the future and he has a background in computer aided design (CAD). Cam loves virtual reality as the possibilities are endless and Kim loves the MyndPlay devices due to being fascinated with the brain. We had these products to start with as we have our individual passions about each bit of tech.

If you had to describe Rota-Motus in 3 words which would you choose?

Futuristic, fun and engaging

What’s been the most impressive piece of technology that you and your team have come across?

It’s very hard to choose as there are so many impressive bits of tech we come across. Sometimes it’s the application of the technology that impresses us, for example Drones mounted with defibrillators to quickly reach people in need in remote areas - or sending a 3D printer to Mars to build colonies.

What advice would you give to a budding inventor looking to make his inventions reality?

Do your market research and ensure you have a relevant market for your product as this really helped us to pin down our demographic and develop our business strategy. Look into crowd funding such as Kickstarter and IndieGoGo and don’t be afraid to approach other inventors and established for help and advice – it’s surprising how much people are willing help out and share their knowledge with you.

What’s the next big technology we should be looking out for?

Microsoft HoloLens which is one of the first truly useful applications for augmented reality in everyday life, it will open up many possibilities and is starting to set the standard for what augmented reality will become. 

What exciting products have you got planned for the next 12 months?

We don’t want to give too much away but a couple of things we are considering at the moment are FPV Drones and applications that work with Virtual Reality to allow your whole body to be in game so you can walk, jump, or even fly!

What are your technology predictions for 2020?

It looks like Back to the Future was spot on with some of its predictions but some are still in the pipeline. Our predictions are driverless cars being available on the market, the use of Magnetic induction to power transport and other devices, Wearable technology becoming mainstream, Augmented and Virtual Reality being introduced into homes and businesses, Flexi-glass making phones and screens wearable commodities and those being integrated into more everyday objects, smart homes and businesses with everything connected and  nano technologies like UltraDry making everything dirt proof.