Consider this. A patient shows up gastrointestinal bleeding and the physicians want to locate the source of the bleed. The patient swallows a small pill, but instead of vitamins it contains a camera, a transmitter, and a battery. Using wireless connectivity the capsule transmits the images to a memory card, accessed by the physicians, who identify with remarkable precision the source of the bleed. Not to mention the patient goes through a painless procedure over the discomfort of having a tube swallowed through the digestive tract.
While pills like this have been designed since early 90’s, it wasn’t until the last few years that they became more common cause in diagnostic medicine. And that’s because in the last decade we are seeing a sizeable degree of innovation in electronics and mechanical fields. The recent development on both fronts, that is, computer-aided design (CAD) modelling, precision machining and improved prototype designs have evolved drastically on the mechanical front whereas miniaturisation of electronics, high precision sensors, advanced telemetry enabling simulation and sensing capability as well as wireless connectivity and advanced software processing have played a key role in pushing its cause.
Founded by an Indian who is an ex-employee of Intel and based out of Ahmedabad, eInfochips is a R300-crore technology firm that understands these design nuances and offers mechanical and electrical design services to customers across the globe. The latest feather in the cap for them is the deal with Qualcomm—the leader in mobility processors—who has named them as the lead partner for the consumer electronic product segment. Pratul Shroff, founder and CEO of eInfochips, said, “We have been regarded as one of the top three and fastest growing Indian players in the product engineering sector by leading market watchers such as Gartner, Deloitte, Frost & Sullivan and Zinnov. The deal holds significance for us as Qualcomm which is a $25 billion company chose us as a partner. Qualcomm wants to get into the non-mobility sector and with our help, it could lead the market space in that sector too.”
Snapdragon processors are featured in a wide range of smartphones and tablets, as well as set-top boxes and media storage devices, and are designed to support many next-generation experiences. Parag Mehta, the chief marketing and business development officer at eInfochips said, “This partnership enables us to provide engineering services and manufacturing of embedded solutions (non-mobile markets) based on Qualcomm Snapdragon to our customers across the world. Our customers will now have an option to consider Qualcomm Snapdragon in their solutions for digital signage, point-of-sales solutions, high definition cameras, high definition displays, imaging solutions, domestic robots, biometric solutions and consumer devices.”
Further explaining his stand, Shroff said, “Qualcomm has chosen us for two reasons. First, the rise of IT sector which is more services-based is slowing down and the next decade belongs to the product engineering sector which is more utility-based. Second, there has been a paradigm shift in how the world looks at Indian engineers. They believe that Indian firms can deliver a superbly designed and capable product.”
Shroff also added that eInfochips has a repeat business strategy. “Close to 90% of our business is repeat and hence we have a 10-15 year contract period with our clients. About 80% of eInfochips business comes from companies with revenues over $1 billion, and 60% of total business from building life and mission critical products. eInfochips has the experience, expertise and infrastructure to deliver complex, critical and connected products,” he said.
