Product Development Company
– Ravi Sawhney, Founder
About RKS
New product development is a series of steps that typically begin with an idea and require the development of new technologies and innovations; however, it can also start with a working technology intended for market launch. In either case, new product development is a unique process that blends design and engineering innovation, and risk management. In most cases, a product development firm is tasked with defining and proving out the technologies required for a new product or service. These core competencies also usually involve selecting or combining core technologies. Every product development collaboration presents a unique set of challenges.

Research and Design
Psycho-Aesthetics™ is our human-centered methodology and compass that allows us to target the right combination of functionality and aspiration.
Research is a key enabler for this process because it helps our teams and stakeholders de-risk the development process by identifying customer needs against market opportunities. Our researchers and designers have completed hundreds of ethnographies, personas, and competitive research studies worldwide. These allow us to benchmark the market and customers for the new product.
Competitive Benchmarking
Auxiliary Research
User Interviews
Tech Scouting
Opportunity Zones
Human-Factors Testing
Research Kits
Industrial Design
UI/UX Design
Graphic Design
AR/VR Design
Customer Research for Product Development
Competitive Product Benchmarking for Product Development
P/A Framework
Stakeholder Buy-In
Technology Development, Engineering, Prototyping, and Testing
Our product development process includes technology development, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software development, prototyping, and testing.
Our risk management techniques create a solid foundation for engineering, new technology creation, and manufacturing and software development.
Aesthetics Refinement (CMF)
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Human factors & ergonomics analysis
Functional invention and feature exploration
Physical model making & validation
Material and detail specification
Sustainable design
Integrated Design and Development
Software Engineering
Emerging Technology Integration
Experiential Prototyping
Intellectual Property (IP) Support
ISO Certification
FDA and HIPAA
Technology Sourcing for Product Development
Proof of concept prototyping for Product Development
Intellectual Property Support for Product Development
Compliance Risks
Global Services
Execution
Our work spans nearly every sector, and we use our experience to cross-polinate ideas to execute, creating Moments of Truth and viral adoption
Execution Capabilities
Emerging Technology Integration
Business Model Design
Experimental Prototyping
Qualitative Resonance Testing
Pilot Design and Testing
Rollout Support
Medical Product Development
Consumer Product Development
Commercial/Industrial Product Development
CPG Product Development
IoT Product Development
Durables Product Development
Research for Product Development
Product Formative Usability Testing for Product Development
Product Engineering for Product Development
In that case, the concepts usually have to undergo considerable rework late on. With both disciplines under the same roof at RKS, working hand-in-hand, this becomes a seamlessly integrated aspect of early design concept development and review. When engineering is outsourced and not integrated, clients will encounter development delays, additional costs to remedy miscalculation at the design stage and less rich and meaningful innovation.
Material selection for Product Development
FloWater
Materials Sourcing for Product Development
Product Manufacturing for Product Development
Medical Product Development
FAQ's
What does a product development firm do?
A product development firm is a professional service organization that specializes in providing product design, development, and engineering services to clients in various industries. These firms offer a range of services, including research and analysis, product design, prototyping, testing, and production support, to help clients bring their products to market. Product development firms work with a variety of clients, including manufacturers, startups, and established companies, to help them create innovative and competitive products.
The product development process is a collaborative effort between the product development firm and the client, involving input and feedback from multiple stakeholders, including industrial designers, engineers, marketers, and manufacturers. A product development firm combines expertise in design and engineering with a deep understanding of industry trends and customer preferences to create products that meet the needs of the end user. Whether working on a new product concept or improving an existing product, a product development firm provides valuable support and expertise to help clients bring their ideas to life.
A product development firm can provide a wide range of services, including market research, user research, design research, prototyping, testing, and production support. With a focus on delivering quality products that meet the needs of the end user, a product development firm is a key partner for organizations looking to drive growth and improve their operations through innovation.
What is new product development?
New product development is the process of creating and launching a new product into the market. This process is crucial for businesses as it allows them to expand their product offerings, attract new customers, and increase revenue.
The new product development process typically involves several stages, including idea generation, market research, product design and prototyping, testing, and launch. Each stage is important for ensuring the success of the product and identifying potential issues or improvements before it is released to the market.
During the idea generation stage, businesses brainstorm potential product ideas and evaluate their potential marketability. This stage is important for identifying new opportunities and trends in the market.
Market research is then conducted to assess the potential demand and competition for the product. This stage helps businesses understand the target market and their needs, as well as the potential risks and rewards of launching the product.
Once the product idea has been thoroughly researched and refined, the product design and prototyping stage begins. This stage involves creating a physical or digital prototype of the product, which can be tested and refined before the final product is produced.
Testing is an essential part of the new product development process. This stage involves conducting various types of testing, such as user testing, market testing, and functional testing, to ensure the product is functional, user-friendly, and meets market needs.
Finally, the product is launched into the market. This stage involves creating marketing and sales strategies, as well as identifying and securing distribution channels for the product.
Do I need an idea?
We often help our clients refine and generate new ideas.
Human-centered design is a process that places the user at the center of the design process, making it an effective tool for generating ideas for new products. The process involves identifying the user’s needs, wants, and pain points and using this information to develop solutions that meet their requirements. To use human-centered design to generate ideas for new products, it’s essential to conduct user research to gather insights into the target audience’s behavior, preferences, and pain points. These insights can be used to identify areas where there is a gap in the market or an opportunity for innovation. The ideas can then be tested and refined through rapid prototyping and user testing, ensuring that the end product meets the user’s needs and exceeds their expectations.
How complex can my idea be?
Our experienced team of engineers, researchers, and designers is capable of developing even the most complex products. With years of experience and expertise in various industries, we can tackle any project with confidence and precision. Our team’s skills range from mechanical and electrical engineering to user research and human-centered design. We also have a comprehensive understanding of the latest technologies and software, allowing us to stay at the forefront of innovation. Our team works collaboratively to ensure that all aspects of the product development process are integrated seamlessly, from research and development to prototyping and testing. No matter the complexity of the project, our team is up to the challenge, and we take pride in delivering high-quality, innovative solutions to our clients.
Does RKS have in-house prototyping abilities?
RKS Design is proud to offer in-house prototyping capabilities that enable us to bring our clients’ ideas to life quickly and efficiently. Our prototyping capabilities include 3D printing, CNC machining, laser cutting, and electronics assembly. These tools allow us to create functional prototypes that can be tested and refined until they meet our clients’ expectations. By keeping prototyping in-house, we can control the entire process, ensuring that we meet our clients’ timelines and budget requirements. Our experienced team of designers and engineers is well-versed in the latest prototyping technologies, allowing us to create high-quality prototypes that accurately represent our clients’ vision.
How are new patents generated from product development?
We pride ourselves on constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation and technology. Part of this involves generating new patents from product development.
The process of generating new patents begins with an idea or concept for a product. This idea is then thoroughly researched and developed into a detailed design plan. Once the design is finalized, it is carefully examined to ensure that it is truly unique and innovative.
If the product meets these requirements, we will then file a patent application with the appropriate government agency. This process involves providing detailed information about the product, including its design, function, and intended use.
Once the patent application is filed, it will go through a review process to determine whether the product is eligible for a patent. If the product is deemed eligible, a patent will be granted and the product will be protected from being copied or imitated by competitors.
Throughout the product development process, we also conduct regular market research to determine the potential demand for the product and assess its potential commercial success. This information is used to guide the development of the product and ensure that it will be well-received by consumers.
Generating new patents from product development requires a combination of innovative thinking, thorough research, and strategic planning. At our design firm, we are dedicated to creating unique and valuable products that will benefit both our clients and the market as a whole.
Do clients usually own the patents in the product development process?
As a design firm, we often work with clients on product development projects. In these cases, the question of who owns the patents for the final product is a common one.
In general, the answer is that the client usually owns the patents for the products we develop together. This is because the client is typically the one providing the initial idea or concept for the product, and they are the ones funding the development process. As such, they have the right to claim ownership of the resulting patents.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, if our design firm brings a unique innovation or technology to the table that significantly contributes to the final product, we may have some claim to the patents as well. In these cases, we would work with the client to come to a mutually agreeable solution, such as sharing ownership of the patents or entering into a licensing agreement.
It’s important to note that the ownership of patents can also be affected by any pre-existing agreements between the design firm and the client. For example, if our contract includes language stating that the client will own the patents for any products developed during the project, then that would supersede any other considerations.
Overall, the ownership of patents in the product development process is typically determined by the specific circumstances of each project. Our design firm is always willing to work with clients to ensure a fair and mutually beneficial outcome in regards to patent ownership.
Product Development Project Spotlight
Discus Dental
FloWater
FreshRealm

Product Development Company
As a product development company, we solve complex hardware and software innovation challenges using a collaborative and integrated research, design, engineering, and prototyping process.


– Ravi Sawhney, Founder
About RKS
New product development is a series of steps that typically begin with an idea and require the development of new technologies and innovations; however, it can also start with a working technology intended for market launch. In either case, new product development is a unique process that blends design and engineering innovation, and risk management. In most cases, a product development firm is tasked with defining and proving out the technologies required for a new product or service. These core competencies also usually involve selecting or combining core technologies. Every product development collaboration presents a unique set of challenges.

Research and Design
Psycho-Aesthetics™ is our human-centered methodology and compass that allows us to target the right combination of functionality and aspiration.
Ethnographic Research
Competitive Benchmarking
Auxiliary Research
User Interviews
Tech Scouting
Opportunity Zones
Human-Factors Testing
Research Kits
Industrial Design
UI/UX Design
Graphic Design
AR/VR Design
Research is a key enabler for this process because it helps our teams and stakeholders de-risk the development process by identifying customer needs against market opportunities. Our researchers and designers have completed hundreds of ethnographies, personas, and competitive research studies worldwide. These allow us to benchmark the market and customers for the new product.

Customer Research for Product Development

Competitive Product Benchmarking for Product Development

P/A Framework

Stakeholder Buy-In
Technology Development, Engineering, Prototyping, and Testing
















Research is a key enabler for this process because it helps our teams and stakeholders de-risk the development process by identifying customer needs against market opportunities. Our researchers and designers have completed hundreds of ethnographies, personas, and competitive research studies worldwide. These allow us to benchmark the market and customers for the new product.

Technology Sourcing for Product Development

Proof of concept prototyping for Product Development

Intellectual Property Support for Product Development

Compliance Risks

Global Services
Execution
Design and Development
Emerging Technology Integration
Business Model Design
Experimental Prototyping
Qualitative Resonance Testing
Pilot Design and Testing
Rollout Support
Medical Product Development
Consumer Product Development
Commercial/Industrial Product Development
CPG Product Development
IoT Product Development
Durables Product Development


Research for Product Development

Product Formative Usability Testing for Product Development
Product Engineering for Product Development
In that case, the concepts usually have to undergo considerable rework late on. With both disciplines under the same roof at RKS, working hand-in-hand, this becomes a seamlessly integrated aspect of early design concept development and review. When engineering is outsourced and not integrated, clients will encounter development delays, additional costs to remedy miscalculation at the design stage and less rich and meaningful innovation.

Material selection for Product Development

Materials Sourcing for Product Development
Product Manufacturing for Product Development
Medical Product Development
FAQ's
What does a product development firm do?
A product development firm is a professional service organization that specializes in providing product design, development, and engineering services to clients in various industries. These firms offer a range of services, including research and analysis, product design, prototyping, testing, and production support, to help clients bring their products to market. Product development firms work with a variety of clients, including manufacturers, startups, and established companies, to help them create innovative and competitive products.
The product development process is a collaborative effort between the product development firm and the client, involving input and feedback from multiple stakeholders, including industrial designers, engineers, marketers, and manufacturers. A product development firm combines expertise in design and engineering with a deep understanding of industry trends and customer preferences to create products that meet the needs of the end user. Whether working on a new product concept or improving an existing product, a product development firm provides valuable support and expertise to help clients bring their ideas to life.
A product development firm can provide a wide range of services, including market research, user research, design research, prototyping, testing, and production support. With a focus on delivering quality products that meet the needs of the end user, a product development firm is a key partner for organizations looking to drive growth and improve their operations through innovation.
What is new product development?
New product development is the process of creating and launching a new product into the market. This process is crucial for businesses as it allows them to expand their product offerings, attract new customers, and increase revenue.
The new product development process typically involves several stages, including idea generation, market research, product design and prototyping, testing, and launch. Each stage is important for ensuring the success of the product and identifying potential issues or improvements before it is released to the market.
During the idea generation stage, businesses brainstorm potential product ideas and evaluate their potential marketability. This stage is important for identifying new opportunities and trends in the market.
Market research is then conducted to assess the potential demand and competition for the product. This stage helps businesses understand the target market and their needs, as well as the potential risks and rewards of launching the product.
Once the product idea has been thoroughly researched and refined, the product design and prototyping stage begins. This stage involves creating a physical or digital prototype of the product, which can be tested and refined before the final product is produced.
Testing is an essential part of the new product development process. This stage involves conducting various types of testing, such as user testing, market testing, and functional testing, to ensure the product is functional, user-friendly, and meets market needs.
Finally, the product is launched into the market. This stage involves creating marketing and sales strategies, as well as identifying and securing distribution channels for the product.
Do I need an idea?
We often help our clients refine and generate new ideas.
Human-centered design is a process that places the user at the center of the design process, making it an effective tool for generating ideas for new products. The process involves identifying the user’s needs, wants, and pain points and using this information to develop solutions that meet their requirements. To use human-centered design to generate ideas for new products, it’s essential to conduct user research to gather insights into the target audience’s behavior, preferences, and pain points. These insights can be used to identify areas where there is a gap in the market or an opportunity for innovation. The ideas can then be tested and refined through rapid prototyping and user testing, ensuring that the end product meets the user’s needs and exceeds their expectations.
How complex can my idea be?
Our experienced team of engineers, researchers, and designers is capable of developing even the most complex products. With years of experience and expertise in various industries, we can tackle any project with confidence and precision. Our team’s skills range from mechanical and electrical engineering to user research and human-centered design. We also have a comprehensive understanding of the latest technologies and software, allowing us to stay at the forefront of innovation. Our team works collaboratively to ensure that all aspects of the product development process are integrated seamlessly, from research and development to prototyping and testing. No matter the complexity of the project, our team is up to the challenge, and we take pride in delivering high-quality, innovative solutions to our clients.
Does RKS have in-house prototyping abilities?
RKS Design is proud to offer in-house prototyping capabilities that enable us to bring our clients’ ideas to life quickly and efficiently. Our prototyping capabilities include 3D printing, CNC machining, laser cutting, and electronics assembly. These tools allow us to create functional prototypes that can be tested and refined until they meet our clients’ expectations. By keeping prototyping in-house, we can control the entire process, ensuring that we meet our clients’ timelines and budget requirements. Our experienced team of designers and engineers is well-versed in the latest prototyping technologies, allowing us to create high-quality prototypes that accurately represent our clients’ vision.
How are new patents generated from product development?
We pride ourselves on constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation and technology. Part of this involves generating new patents from product development.
The process of generating new patents begins with an idea or concept for a product. This idea is then thoroughly researched and developed into a detailed design plan. Once the design is finalized, it is carefully examined to ensure that it is truly unique and innovative.
If the product meets these requirements, we will then file a patent application with the appropriate government agency. This process involves providing detailed information about the product, including its design, function, and intended use.
Once the patent application is filed, it will go through a review process to determine whether the product is eligible for a patent. If the product is deemed eligible, a patent will be granted and the product will be protected from being copied or imitated by competitors.
Throughout the product development process, we also conduct regular market research to determine the potential demand for the product and assess its potential commercial success. This information is used to guide the development of the product and ensure that it will be well-received by consumers.
Generating new patents from product development requires a combination of innovative thinking, thorough research, and strategic planning. At our design firm, we are dedicated to creating unique and valuable products that will benefit both our clients and the market as a whole.
Do clients usually own the patents in the product development process?
As a design firm, we often work with clients on product development projects. In these cases, the question of who owns the patents for the final product is a common one.
In general, the answer is that the client usually owns the patents for the products we develop together. This is because the client is typically the one providing the initial idea or concept for the product, and they are the ones funding the development process. As such, they have the right to claim ownership of the resulting patents.
However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, if our design firm brings a unique innovation or technology to the table that significantly contributes to the final product, we may have some claim to the patents as well. In these cases, we would work with the client to come to a mutually agreeable solution, such as sharing ownership of the patents or entering into a licensing agreement.
It’s important to note that the ownership of patents can also be affected by any pre-existing agreements between the design firm and the client. For example, if our contract includes language stating that the client will own the patents for any products developed during the project, then that would supersede any other considerations.
Overall, the ownership of patents in the product development process is typically determined by the specific circumstances of each project. Our design firm is always willing to work with clients to ensure a fair and mutually beneficial outcome in regards to patent ownership.