Hardware Is Hard, But We’re Close

DIMO May 2022 Hardware Update

To get right to the point, we’ve had a few setbacks that have pushed back our shipping timelines. This won’t impact earnings, if anything it might cause you to earn more. Regardless, we want to get these devices in your hands just as bad you do and there’s a clear path to making that happen. Your support keeps us fired up and we thank you for your patience.

In this update we’ll explain what happened, provide new expected timelines, when we plan to open back up the store for more orders, and how we’re opening up hardware production to more providers. We’re also hosting a Hardware AMA on Twitter on Tuesday May 24th at 12pm EDT where AutoPi, the company who produces the DIMO Data Miner, will present and take questions with us.

Our new expected shipping table is below, but as you’ll read further down, delays are still possible (albeit increasingly less likely).

Additionally, we put up a temporary website for those who have already ordered where you can enter your order number to check your shipping estimate and the points you’ve earned (data coming soon). Don’t worry, even though they aren’t showing up in the DIMO mobile app just, yet we’re tracking them. More on rewards in a later section.

So what happened?

Covid lockdowns in China pushed us back a few weeks, but we thought we might still get a good chunk of devices out in May. However, earlier this week one of the components on the circuit board failed testing. That means that instead of giving the green light to produce and receive 2,500 units in two weeks, we now have to swap out the component, produce another small batch, and test those units for a few weeks.

It should be an easy fix. Alternatives to that component are easy to get and we don’t expect other setbacks. However, hardware projects are a bit less predictable and harder to control so we want to start being more humble and realistic —additional delays are still possible. While with most projects we’d make no excuses and work around the clock to get it done, hardware projects simply have more variables that are out of your control. No amount of pushing on our end can make the next revision come faster.

What does this mean for users?

Despite how it may seem, the effects are largely positive for customers. On the one hand, more time will pass before you get to hold that sleek device in your hand and take control of your car data. On the other, you’re already part of the movement and you’re already earning.

We are calculating points as if you received and connected your DIMO Miner the day you placed your order.

In the future, customers will only start earning when they actually connect their car. But, since the delays are on us, not you, we’ll count your devices as connected. That means you’ll already have a good streak bonus going and, so long as you don’t cancel your order, you’ll receive these backdated earnings when your device ships even if you don’t have a car to connect it to right away. We want to err on the side of being generous as we appreciate you all putting your faith in our team.

While we’re limited in what we’re allowed to say about the $DIMO token, this delay will not have any negative impacts on the amount you’d receive.

What’s the long-term plan to scale hardware?

It has never been our intention to stay this involved in the hardware game in the long-term. We want DIMO to be like Linux, capable of operating with any compatible device, produced by many different manufacturers.

While we work to get these generation one devices shipped out, we’re already far along in conversations with other capable hardware manufacturers who are eager to produce the next set of DIMO devices. In 2023, we expect there will be other variations similar to our current miner, cheaper micro dongles that piggyback off of your phone's cell connection, dash cameras, and more.

We’re drafting up a nifty proposal that specifies how manufacturers can receive a device license, stake the $DIMO token, and use NFTs to “mint” a new device. You can read about it here and let us know what you think in our Discord’s #🔩hardware channel.

Finally, this wouldn’t be a DIMO post if we didn’t remind that you to create an account and add your cars in our web app, iOS app, or Android app. If you have a compatible software subscription, you can connect your car today even without the hardware (in fact, you’ll just be earning twice).