Client Projects, Product Development in Practice
Here are some examples of how we support technical leads, whether that’s to solve critical firmware issues, developing custom hardware, or recovering a project under pressure. Each story demonstrates how our approach brings clarity, reduces risk, and accelerates progress across electronic product development.
Ignys worked with the ZX Spectrum Next team to bring the official successor to one of the UK’s most iconic home computers to market. What began as a community-driven crowdfunding project rapidly evolved into a global consumer electronics product, requiring thousands of units and professional-grade engineering expertise.
The Challenge
Following highly successful crowdfunding campaigns, the team needed to redesign their prototype for mass production, meet EMC compliance standards, overcome supply chain disruptions, and manage FPGA component obsolescence all while preserving legacy functionality.
What We Did
Redesigned the printed circuit board for EMC compliance and scalable manufacturing
Led a full hardware and firmware redesign following FPGA discontinuation
Redesigned the printed circuit board for EMC compliance and scalable manufacturing
Outcomes and business impact
The Sinclair ZX Spectrum Next successfully transitioned from prototype to a globally distributed, production-ready product delivering thousands of units while remaining true to its heritage.
Albion develop advanced energy storage systems designed to stabilise the electrical grid and enable safe integration of renewable energy. By combining embedded software, power electronics, and control engineering, Ignys provides the specialist depth Albion needs to bring their high-performance battery solutions to market.
The Challenge
Albion needed to develop advanced control methods for high-voltage energy storage systems. This required deep, cross-disciplinary expertise spanning electronics, embedded software, (and chemistry) that was difficult to source within a single internal team.
What We Did
Applied research-led, PhD-level expertise to solve complex technical challenges
Collaborated closely to refine embedded software and power electronics requirements and define practical solutions
Introduced alternative approaches to strengthen product design and decision-making
Outcomes and business impact
Albion accelerated development of scalable, high-performance energy storage systems, gaining access to rare, multidisciplinary engineering expertise that drives continued innovation in the renewable energy sector.
Howler provide advanced fire safety systems for construction environments. Acting as a true extension of Howler’s R&D team, Ignys combines hardware, embedded software, and product engineering to bring life-saving solutions to market faster.
The Challenge
Howler needed to develop radio-linked fire alarm systems requiring combined hardware and embedded software expertise. Building a fully resourced internal engineering team to cover all disciplines would have been costly and slowed production.
What We Did
Designed and developed embedded software, integrated electronic hardware and PCB systems
Translated concepts into working prototypes and production-ready solutions
Maintained close collaboration through regular communication to accelerate decision-making
Outcomes and business impact
Howler accelerated product development cycles, brought innovative fire safety systems to market faster, and scaled engineering capability all without increasing internal headcount and cost prohibitive outlay.
Ignys led the hardware design for Hive’s next-generation smart home hub, the Nano 3. With production forecast at 10,000–50,000 units per month, this was a commercially demanding brief with rigorous cost management with design requirements built for robust manufacturability.
The Challenge
Hive’s existing hub platform had become a constraint on feature development, carried growing BOM costs, and faced component obsolescence risks. They needed a modern, scalable replacement capable of supporting future smart home standards at high volume.
What We Did
Selected and integrated the TI AM62x Sitara achieving full signal integrity on a cost-effective 8-layer PCB
Embedded EMC compliance and cost reduction into the design process from schematic stage
Identified and resolved a critical undocumented AM62x eMMC bug, contributing findings to TI’s engineering forum
Outcomes and business impact
The Hive Hub Nano 3 is now being used in homes across the UK. We were able to help provide a production-ready platform, deliver meaningful BOM cost savings, full smart home connectivity, and a strong foundation for Hive’s future product innovation.