# IDology #7 - Tips on outsourcing R&D and product design work

- Show: [IDology](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology)
- Published: 2023-01-31
- Length: 27m
- Episode: 7
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-31-idology-7-tips-on-outsourcing-r-d-and-product-design-work
- Listen: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mindsailors/episodes/IDology-7---Tips-on-outsourcing-RD-and-product-design-work-e1u912k

## Summary

Rafał Piłat and Anita Rogoża of Mindsailors discuss the strategic value of outsourcing Research and Development (R&D) to external design studios. They detail specific projects, including a medical catheter requiring manufacturing feasibility analysis and a mobile heart sensor where they redesigned a painful mounting mechanism for elderly patients. The conversation also covers bypassing existing patents for shower drainage systems and highlights failed R&D attempts, such as non-compliant plastic scaffolding planks, to illustrate the importance of clear briefs and regulatory awareness.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-31-idology-7-tips-on-outsourcing-r-d-and-product-design-work#t=1) Introduction: Outsourcing R&D at Mindsailors
- [1:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-31-idology-7-tips-on-outsourcing-r-d-and-product-design-work#t=77) Reasons for Outsourcing: Bias, Capacity, and Expertise
- [3:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-31-idology-7-tips-on-outsourcing-r-d-and-product-design-work#t=217) Case Study: Medical Catheter Manufacturing Feasibility
- [7:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-31-idology-7-tips-on-outsourcing-r-d-and-product-design-work#t=472) Case Study: Mobile Heart Sensor Mounting Mechanism
- [12:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-31-idology-7-tips-on-outsourcing-r-d-and-product-design-work#t=766) Case Study: Bypassing Patents in Shower Drainage
- [14:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-31-idology-7-tips-on-outsourcing-r-d-and-product-design-work#t=882) Failed R&D: Carbonated Drink Packaging and Scaffolding
- [18:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-31-idology-7-tips-on-outsourcing-r-d-and-product-design-work#t=1110) Planning Successful R&D: Briefs, Flexibility, and Risk
- [25:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-31-idology-7-tips-on-outsourcing-r-d-and-product-design-work#t=1510) Advice for Clients: Time, Budget, and Investment Mindset

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Intellectual property](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/intellectual-property)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Rafał Piłat (other)
- Anita Rogoża (other)
- catheter (product)
- mobile heart sensor (product)
- shower cabin floor drainage system (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [176 - The Fastest Way to Ruin Drug/Device Development (And How to Avoid It!) with Eric Sugalski](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2025-02-19-176-the-fastest-way-to-ruin-drug-device-development-and-how-to-avoid-it-with-eri) (Let's Combinate)
- [#461: Why Manufacturing is Part of Product Development with Mike Dolphin](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2026-06-22-461-why-manufacturing-is-part-of-product-development-with-mike-dolphin) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [S1E49 The Critical Formula for Developing New Products | Jeff Christian](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-11-06-s1e49-the-critical-formula-for-developing-new-products-jeff-christian) (Being an Engineer)
- [053: Manufacturing, Quality & 3D Printing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-05-23-053-manufacturing-quality-3d-printing) (Product Startup)
- [Ep 2: The Untold Story - 8 Years. 3 Failed Studios. 1 Real Product](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/build-2-create-hardware-founder-stories/2026-01-15-ep-2-the-untold-story-8-years-3-failed-studios-1-real-product) (Build 2 Create: Hardware Founder Stories)

## Citing this page

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