Startup Idea: Smart Shelves Powered by Microcontrollers

Startup idea to create a programmable retail shelf system, packed with microcontrollers. These shelves could track inventory, announce sales and offers as customers pass by, and more, targeting industries such as retail stores and public libraries.

I am a graduate of FAMU in Tallahassee, Florida. I have a friend that graduated from FAMU with a degree in electronic engineering. His senior project was to make a robot. It stood about three feet high. When I found out about the project, I asked him how did he do it. Apparently, there is a programming language called Arduino used to program microcontrollers. Evidently, his robot had a few microntrollers in it. I later learned that many home appliances use microcontrollers. In fact, microcontrollers are everywhere. So, the trick is find a uses for microtrollers in placing that most people would not suspect. For instance, in the retail industry, someone should create a rack or a shelf that has several microcontrollers embedded inside of it. The self should be programmable by the shopkeeper. The self should be able to count how much items sold. It should also be programmed to announce weekly sale as the customer walks down the aisle. What you want to do is pack the microcontroller with tons of features. There is nothing like it. Basically, you want to target businesses that have shelves like a public library.

Submitter: Kenneth Robinson (view contact info)