How to create a hit product of 49 yuan NB-IOT locator?

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How to create a hit product of 49 yuan NB-IOT locator? [Copy link]

NB-IOT locator is a general term, which can be electric vehicle tracker, pet locator, asset risk control, student badge, etc. There are several reasons why NB-IOT is needed:

NB-IOT advantages!

1. Power consumption
2G is out of service, CAT1 takes over, but the power consumption of CAT1 is a flaw, which may be the difference between using it for a week or a day. If it is asset risk control, the positioning frequency is not so high, and the time can be longer.
2. Cost
NB-IOT price is almost close to 2G. Considering the frequency band, it is difficult for CAT1 to achieve such a cost. It is expected to be around 30 yuan in the future.
3. Mobility
The mobility of NB-IOT in R13 is a flaw, but R14 has improved and can meet the needs of most positioning scenarios.
4. Policy
In January this year, the number of NB-IoT global connections exceeded 100 million, and the number of Chinese connections exceeded 100 million in February. Huawei expects that the number of global connections will double again by the end of this year. By 2025, the shipment of NB-IoT chips will quickly reach 350 million, accounting for nearly 50% of the total shipment of cellular IoT chips, and the prospects are broad.

NB-IOT problem!

1. Network coverage
NB-IOT's network coverage is still a big problem, but fortunately, it can be covered in urban areas. In addition, with the national policy trend, NB-IOT coverage will be increasingly improved.
2. Delay
Real-time feedback will bring a better experience. For low-end consumer products, the pursuit of real-time can be relaxed.

Take pet locator as an example

Function Definition

1. Report data every 10-30 minutes (APP setting)
2. Bluetooth can support local connection, first time configuration
3. Support Bluetooth anti-lost positioning
4. APP settings lost, GPS open real-time positioning
5. Can monitor battery power and feedback APP

First version of product definition: discrete solution

Bluetooth (also acts as MCU)
GPS
NB-IOT
power collection IC

The BOM cost of the first version exceeded 50 yuan, not including the casing, antenna, battery, data traffic costs, etc.

Second Edition Product Definition: Integrated Solutions

AM21E (supports GPS+Bluetooth+NB-IOT+eSIM)
1. Bluetooth can achieve local contact, but does not support Bluetooth positioning. Instead, it makes simple judgments based on signal strength, saving Bluetooth costs.
2. AM21E can OPEN CPU, giving up Bluetooth and not needing to integrate MCU
. 3. By calling the module power interface voltage and combining it with the battery curve, it can do simple power measurement, saving the cost of power metering IC.

Through the integrated solution, the total BOM cost is controlled at 37-38.
Another benefit is that the product size is greatly reduced (eliminating the size of Bluetooth and peripheral circuits + card slots).

Version 3 Product Definition: Costdown Solution

AM21E V5 (COSTDOWN version)

Advantages: total BOM cost is 32-33
Disadvantages: does not support Bluetooth

Summarize:

Costs other than BOM
Casing: 1-2 yuan
Battery: 2 yuan
Data flow: 6 yuan for China Mobile, you can also purchase it for 3-4 yuan
Antenna: 3 yuan (Bluetooth is separate)
Production, installation and testing: 3-5 yuan

If the supply chain is well managed, the second version should be priced below 50 yuan, and the third version around 45 yuan.

How to choose between the second and third versions?
1. It can be divided into two versions, high-end and low-end. Although the BOM is not much different, the price can be different
. 2. The second version is suitable for pet positioning, and the third version is suitable for asset tracking. They are suitable for different scenarios.