# Succeeding in Hardware with Joshua Hsu of Introhm

- Show: [Predictable Designs Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast)
- Published: 2020-03-24
- Length: 1h 03m
- Episode: 13
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-24-succeeding-in-hardware-with-joshua-hsu-of-introhm

## Summary

Joshua Hsu, co-founder of the hardware startup Introhm, discusses developing a wearable fitness product for personal trainers and physical therapists. He details the company's pivot from smart clothing to a modular wearable system using an off-the-shelf development kit to validate the business model and avoid high custom hardware costs. Hsu explains their strategy of using 'Wizard of Oz' demos to test willingness to pay before building the final product, and outlines a phased distribution plan targeting gyms and insurance providers.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-24-succeeding-in-hardware-with-joshua-hsu-of-introhm#t=0) Introduction and Founder Background
- [10:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-24-succeeding-in-hardware-with-joshua-hsu-of-introhm#t=646) Product Evolution and Pivot from Smart Clothing
- [16:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-24-succeeding-in-hardware-with-joshua-hsu-of-introhm#t=972) Business Model and Pricing Strategy
- [37:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-24-succeeding-in-hardware-with-joshua-hsu-of-introhm#t=2269) Market Validation and Wizard of Oz Demos
- [54:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-03-24-succeeding-in-hardware-with-joshua-hsu-of-introhm#t=3247) Distribution and Market Penetration Strategy

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch

## Mentioned

- Introhm (company)
- ASU (company)
- Benchmark Electronics (company)
- The Mom Test (other)
- Talking to Humans (other)
- Make Your Pad (other)
- Bodybuilding.com (company)
- Equinox (company)

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- [S2E51 The Hardware Academy | John Teel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-12-03-s2e51-the-hardware-academy-john-teel) (Being an Engineer)
- [S2E37 Defied the odds:  A Physical Product Development Firm That Focuses on Startups & Small Businesses, Mako Design + Invent –Kevin Mako](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-08-23-s2e37-defied-the-odds-a-physical-product-development-firm-that-focuses-on-startu) (Being an Engineer)
- [WHOOP: Will Ahmed](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-07-21-whoop-will-ahmed) (How I Built This)
- [Episode 1 - The Hardware Story of Inito w/ Aayush Rai | Building a B2C medical hardware company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-story/2024-06-26-episode-1-the-hardware-story-of-inito-w-aayush-rai-building-a-b2c-medical-hardwa) (The Hardware Story)

## Citing this page

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