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HMT: Human Molecule Transporter - A TechCrock Exclusive
When I first heard the hype surrounding the HMT “Human Molecular Transport" technology enabling the instantaneous transmission of people from one place to another using lasers, I admit I was skeptical. But now, having seen demos in multiple venues (high def and surround sound), I’m convinced they’re onto something of revolutionary signficance. Bottom line,, HMT is a game changer for the transportation industry. I met with Founders, Elmo Crink and Herman Dottingdorp of the Silicon Valley based HMT Labs at a trendy San Francisco restaurant recently and the market potential leaped off their laptop. I followed up with a visit to their lab in a neighbor’s garage and after a few beers and a demo, I’m prepared to offer this “TechCrock Exclusive” on what some analysts believe to be the breakthrough technology of the decade. To diehard skeptics, it will seem a bit fanciful, until you actually have a chance to look under the hood and see the amazing innards of their platform. Then suddenly, you “Get it.”
The technology in concept is quite straightforward, but the the actual execution is technologically challenging. Indeed, this explains why no one else has yet been able to bring even a closely competitive product to market. Here’s how it works. A person’s HMSs (Human Molecular Structure) is mapped using their proprietary software (Patent Pending). The mapping is then uploaded to a server and a laser (available at most Radio Shacks) is beamed at the person’s torso from the HMT server add on. The add on costs an extra $259, but is well worth the investment.) The laser beam dissolves the person’s molecules, and the HMS map is transmitted wirelessly to the chosen remote destination, where another server and add on laser reconstructs the person’s molecules with up to 96% accuracy. Presto, you’re in a new place. No muss, no fuss. No traffic, no tolls. It’s potentially a game changer for the transportation industry.
The entire process takes no more than five minutes. Presently the maximum range for transport is 250 miles which is fully sufficient for 90% of of all daily commutes and HMT expects to have ranges up to 2000 miles operational within a year as relay satellites and nodules are installed. The backers say they are near too closing a $24 million secondary round with several blue chip firms, whose names they cannot divulge until closing. This $24 million comes on the heals of the $1.4 million they’ve already raised from angels. HNT also secured a $360,000 loan from SBA and one of the founders has a $15, 000 credit line with CitiBusiness Cards, which according to a TechCrock credit check is now two months delinquent. The $24 million secondary will be used for product enhancement, buildout of the nodule network, setting up a remote production facility in Taiwan, and a stock redemption plan for employees. The company presently has 16 employees, 8 of which are in public relations. Three job descriptions have been classified for obvious security reasons.
The consumer Deluxe version of the entire system including servers, lasers, software add will cost $1999 with mail in coupons knocking up to $139 off the retail. Once it gets FTC approval, which is anticipated shortly, HMT Deluxe be available for the Christmas season at Best Buy, Circuit City. Next year, the promoters expect to introduce a stripped down version at the coveted $1299 price point to be marketed through WalMart and a $999 children’s version marketed through Toys ‘R Us.
One of the drawbacks of the present technology in its present form is that the human must be fully naked for this technology to work. The HTM Software apparently is unreliable if the human torso is masked by clothing molecules. Under adverse conditions (weather is a factor) clothing and jewelry can causes interference that causes the server system to crash. For example during a beta test, a fully clothed person was reconstructed at the destination site as a naked toad.
A lawsuit is pending, and the outcome of that case could have far reaching implications for the usability and marketability of the technology. The family of the plaintive in that case is seeking compensatory damages of $11.3 million that including the cost of the missing clothes, which according to court documents included a $200 pair of Guess Jeans, a $350 pair of swede loafers and a green sweater of indeterminate value. Out of respect for the privacy of the aggrieved parties, the name of the missing person has been withheld, but TechCrock has learned her picture can be seen on milk cartons issued between January and March of 2007.
As a precaution, the company is urging people who wish to use HMT in its current beta form as a high speed commuting vehicle to have a second set of clothing at the destination site, unless of course they plan of going about their business naked, which as become increasingly popular in some progressive work environments. Some analysts have suggested that this potential drawback could actually prove to be a PR bonanza, increasing potential exposure for the technology on television and on video blogs that are looking for eye catching footage. Since there of course is a period of undressing and redressing when using HMT beta, there are always a handful of gawkers nearby, which, I must admit creates a somewhat tacky feel to the experience. Nevertheless, Playboy Magazine has expressed an interest in creating a DVD and accompanying photo pictorial on the technology.
HMT is also looking at potential uses of HMT technology as a vaporizer that has far reaching military applications. It might be possible, say HMT engineers within a 5 year time frame to use the technology to vaporize entire armies, without significant expense or bloodshed. Also a local garbage collection firm has explored the possibility of using it for to make their procedures more cost efficient, greener, cleaner and less noisy for neighbors in the early morning hours. Matrimony experts say the technology has potential applications in settling messy divorces. By simply vaporizing the molecules of one or both parties to the dispute, and then failing to reconstruct them, the costs of messy settlement could be cut in half, according to a promotional brochure prepared by the HMT Communications Group. Experts say, however, that the legal implications of this approach to settlement are mired in complexity.
(Finally a disclaimer on this, I currently have an 5% equity stake in this company, which I have put in a blind trust, so as not to influence my journalistic objectivity.)
The technology in concept is quite straightforward, but the the actual execution is technologically challenging. Indeed, this explains why no one else has yet been able to bring even a closely competitive product to market. Here’s how it works. A person’s HMSs (Human Molecular Structure) is mapped using their proprietary software (Patent Pending). The mapping is then uploaded to a server and a laser (available at most Radio Shacks) is beamed at the person’s torso from the HMT server add on. The add on costs an extra $259, but is well worth the investment.) The laser beam dissolves the person’s molecules, and the HMS map is transmitted wirelessly to the chosen remote destination, where another server and add on laser reconstructs the person’s molecules with up to 96% accuracy. Presto, you’re in a new place. No muss, no fuss. No traffic, no tolls. It’s potentially a game changer for the transportation industry.
The entire process takes no more than five minutes. Presently the maximum range for transport is 250 miles which is fully sufficient for 90% of of all daily commutes and HMT expects to have ranges up to 2000 miles operational within a year as relay satellites and nodules are installed. The backers say they are near too closing a $24 million secondary round with several blue chip firms, whose names they cannot divulge until closing. This $24 million comes on the heals of the $1.4 million they’ve already raised from angels. HNT also secured a $360,000 loan from SBA and one of the founders has a $15, 000 credit line with CitiBusiness Cards, which according to a TechCrock credit check is now two months delinquent. The $24 million secondary will be used for product enhancement, buildout of the nodule network, setting up a remote production facility in Taiwan, and a stock redemption plan for employees. The company presently has 16 employees, 8 of which are in public relations. Three job descriptions have been classified for obvious security reasons.
The consumer Deluxe version of the entire system including servers, lasers, software add will cost $1999 with mail in coupons knocking up to $139 off the retail. Once it gets FTC approval, which is anticipated shortly, HMT Deluxe be available for the Christmas season at Best Buy, Circuit City. Next year, the promoters expect to introduce a stripped down version at the coveted $1299 price point to be marketed through WalMart and a $999 children’s version marketed through Toys ‘R Us.
One of the drawbacks of the present technology in its present form is that the human must be fully naked for this technology to work. The HTM Software apparently is unreliable if the human torso is masked by clothing molecules. Under adverse conditions (weather is a factor) clothing and jewelry can causes interference that causes the server system to crash. For example during a beta test, a fully clothed person was reconstructed at the destination site as a naked toad.
A lawsuit is pending, and the outcome of that case could have far reaching implications for the usability and marketability of the technology. The family of the plaintive in that case is seeking compensatory damages of $11.3 million that including the cost of the missing clothes, which according to court documents included a $200 pair of Guess Jeans, a $350 pair of swede loafers and a green sweater of indeterminate value. Out of respect for the privacy of the aggrieved parties, the name of the missing person has been withheld, but TechCrock has learned her picture can be seen on milk cartons issued between January and March of 2007.
As a precaution, the company is urging people who wish to use HMT in its current beta form as a high speed commuting vehicle to have a second set of clothing at the destination site, unless of course they plan of going about their business naked, which as become increasingly popular in some progressive work environments. Some analysts have suggested that this potential drawback could actually prove to be a PR bonanza, increasing potential exposure for the technology on television and on video blogs that are looking for eye catching footage. Since there of course is a period of undressing and redressing when using HMT beta, there are always a handful of gawkers nearby, which, I must admit creates a somewhat tacky feel to the experience. Nevertheless, Playboy Magazine has expressed an interest in creating a DVD and accompanying photo pictorial on the technology.
HMT is also looking at potential uses of HMT technology as a vaporizer that has far reaching military applications. It might be possible, say HMT engineers within a 5 year time frame to use the technology to vaporize entire armies, without significant expense or bloodshed. Also a local garbage collection firm has explored the possibility of using it for to make their procedures more cost efficient, greener, cleaner and less noisy for neighbors in the early morning hours. Matrimony experts say the technology has potential applications in settling messy divorces. By simply vaporizing the molecules of one or both parties to the dispute, and then failing to reconstruct them, the costs of messy settlement could be cut in half, according to a promotional brochure prepared by the HMT Communications Group. Experts say, however, that the legal implications of this approach to settlement are mired in complexity.
(Finally a disclaimer on this, I currently have an 5% equity stake in this company, which I have put in a blind trust, so as not to influence my journalistic objectivity.)
Last updated by Michael Arrogant May. 19, 2008.
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