Garageio allows smartphone users control of their garage door from virtually anywhere

MAPLE PLAIN, MN--Dec. 21, 2013: Proto Labs has presented a Cool Idea! Award to Alottazs Labs, LLC, creator of the Garageio device and mobile app. The system enables homeowners to remotely monitor and control their garage door through a simple, user-friendly smartphone app.

“The company’s approach was to create a device that not only supported multiple garage doors, but one that was simple, reliable and intelligent with a stellar user experience”

The sleek Garageio unit can be mounted directly to a garage door opener or on the garage ceiling, and once installed, users can connect the unit to their home Wi-Fi network via Garageio’s smartphone app. Homeowners then have the option to share access to their garage with choice individuals via the smartphone app, and even restrict the times in which they can use it. Whether a garage door is left open, a delivery person is dropping off a package or a child needs to get inside the house, users can open and close up to three garage doors from nearly any place in the world.

Smartphone enabled garage door openers exist within the market, but Garageio differentiates itself by integrating into users’ existing garage door units, rather than replacing them entirely or supporting only some models. Additionally, at $149, Garageio units are priced below others in the same space, and there is no monthly fee or additional costs to download the smartphone app or add users. “The company’s approach was to create a device that not only supported multiple garage doors, but one that was simple, reliable and intelligent with a stellar user experience,” explains Alottazs Labs' Chief Executive Officer, Zak Dziczkowski.

Proto Labs’ CNC-machining service, Firstcut, provided an initial order of top and bottom prototype casings, which are now being using by Alottazs Labs to product test the Garageio with a select group of customers. Soon after testing, the company plans to use its remaining Cool Idea! Award grant towards production parts of the ABS casings through Proto Labs’ injection-molding service, Protomold.

“We were fascinated with how an innovative device paired with a highly accessible mobile app could solve an everyday problem, and are excited that our Cool Idea! Award can help Alottazs Labs bring its product to market,” says Larry Lukis, Founder and Chairman of Proto Labs.

Launched in 2011, the Proto Labs Cool Idea! Award gives a total of $250,000 in services each year to entrepreneurs developing new products in the United States and Europe. Unlike other product awards that recognize products after they’re in mass production and on store shelves, the Cool Idea! Award is meant to help innovative ideas come to life. For more information about the Cool Idea! Award and to apply, visit Proto Labs Cool Idea.