Airing (Portable, Disposable CPAP Device)

 

Airing is using Facebook for product awareness and for funding to create a wireless, cordless CPAP device to help people with sleep apnea. Millions of people around the globe refuse to use a CPAP device because of the hassle of wires, cords, cleaning effort and wearing masks.   The hope is that those who need such device will get a better night’s sleep and live a healthier life.  The frequently post information in a Q & A fashion to keep product information in front of those that follow or “like” them.  The end result is product awareness, but more importantly funding.

The look of the design of the product itself reminds me of a pacifier however it has two soft “tubes” that are secured in your nose. The device is meant to be disposable, so no cleaning necessary.  A batter will last one night.  Because there are no hoses or wires, you can freely get out of bed for that midnight bathroom run.  A target of $3 each was mentioned in the campaign.

 

This campaign is very interesting.  They clearly have a product that is needed.  They describe the reason on why the product was invented, the target customer base (those that need a CPAP), and why this is so much better of a product.  They even go as far as explaining how this was actually an accidental invention.  The graphics they use show a varied demographic age bracket of potential users.   The thing that lacks is enough explanation as to why they need the funding to create the product.  What is truly stopping them from going to production?  Why not use another form of social media in the form of the TV show “Shark Tank” to get a real investor to help them?  They clearly could instantly help get them to market much faster.  Do they know for sure people would be willing to pay $3 each for a disposable device?  Product cost seems high, especially since you can get a traditional device for a few hundred dollars that will last on average for 5 years.

 

On a personal level, I know so many people that either already use a CPAP or refuse to use one for the very reasons they state.  I think there is a need for the product but I wonder if the demand will be there for them to actually produce it. I would purchase the device however I hope that they could get the product cost down closer to $1 per day so people could afford it.  It seems more practical for use as a travel mechanism with such a high cost.  I do applaud the inventor for taking a failed attempt at a different product and finding a demand for it that otherwise was not intended.  Overall, it is a nice campaign on Facebook, however if they really want to reach the public, they need to go beyond the internet.  I am sure there is a large number of older generation adults that could become potential customers but don’t use computers, the internet or social media (in my opinion a key demographic for them). 

To learn more about Airing and its campaign, check out their website: http://www.fundairing.com/#first-ever-micro-cpap