Tag Archives: new product development

Last updated: July 3, 2026

Why Working Product Components Fail After Final Assembly [Podcast Ep. 335]

Posted on July 3, 2026 by Adrian Leighton

A product’s electronics work correctly on the test bench. Its firmware performs as expected. The mechanical parts fit, and each subsystem appears to have passed its tests. Then everything is installed inside the final enclosure, and new problems suddenly emerge. … Continue reading →

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Why Version 1 Shouldn’t Be Perfect (And What to Do After You Launch) [Podcast]

Posted on April 24, 2026 by Adrian Leighton

In episode 325 of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian and Renaud break down a powerful idea from Tony Fadell: “Builders build, ship, then solve what breaks.” They explore what really happens after a product hits the market, and why chasing perfection … Continue reading →

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Are You Building What People Will Actually Buy? How to Validate Demand, Customers, and Features [Podcast]

Posted on February 13, 2026 by Adrian Leighton

Many hardware teams don’t fail because their engineering is weak. They fail because they misread the market. It’s easy to fall in love with a clever solution, a beautiful prototype, or a smart technical idea. The hard part is proving … Continue reading →

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Why Your New Product Development (NPD) Partner Really Matters [Podcast]

Posted on January 16, 2026 by Adrian Leighton

Bringing a product from idea to mass production is never a straight line. In this episode, Adrian is joined by Paul Adams, who leads the New Product Development (NPD) team at Agilian Technology, to explain why the strength of your … Continue reading →

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Can You Afford to Manufacture Your Idea? Budget Truths from Idea to Mass Production [Podcast]

Posted on December 5, 2025 by Adrian Leighton

In episode 305 of China Manufacturing Decoded, Adrian and Paul dig into a question that most new hardware founders don’t really want to face: can you actually afford to take your product from idea to mass production? They unpack the … Continue reading →

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Before You Hire Freelance Hardware Engineers: 4 Safeguards

Posted on October 23, 2025 by Renaud Anjoran

A common pattern we see: a startup hires several low-hourly-rate freelance hardware engineers (mechanical, electronics, and/or firmware engineers) from different countries like Jordan, Pakistan, Vietnam, etc. Work seems to progress…until it doesn’t. Typical failure modes include: Designs that can’t be … Continue reading →

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Fitness Wearable Development Challenges: What You Need to Know Before Manufacturing in China

Posted on August 11, 2025 by Renaud Anjoran

Smart wearables that collect vital data, such as fitness trackers, smartwatches, and medical-grade health monitors, are becoming more and more popular in the marketplace. They are, for the vast majority, made in China. As they start to be produced in … Continue reading →

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Getting It Right from the Start: Essential Guide to Working with Manufacturers [Podcast]

Posted on May 2, 2025 by Adrian Leighton

Are you gearing up to manufacture a new electronic / hard good product? In this episode, Renaud and Adrian break down exactly what you need to prepare before starting with a manufacturer. These insights could save you time, money, and … Continue reading →

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Freedom to Operate Analysis: Reducing Patent Infringement Risk

Posted on April 3, 2025 by Renaud Anjoran

Imagine dedicating months, even years, to developing a groundbreaking product, only to discover it infringes on an existing patent, preventing its launch. The potential legal and financial repercussions could be devastating. This article explains why a Freedom to Operate (FTO) … Continue reading →

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Angell e-Bikes Rise and Fall: A Cautionary Design and Manufacturing Tale [Podcast]

Posted on February 7, 2025 by Adrian Leighton

Adrian and Renaud are looking into the Angell e-bike brand today. This once-promising French e-bike startup soared in popularity and even had a partnership with the MINI car brand, but is now facing bankruptcy. What went wrong? Was it poor … Continue reading →

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