Gallery: Behind the scenes at FirstBuild

Geneva-controlled vent hood

This Geneva-controlled vent hood is a new product that FirstBuild has developed.

Read more: How developers can use FirstBuild to design products for GE Appliances

Image: Teena Maddox/TechRepublic

Cooktop for the visually impaired

A hackathon last summer resulted in the development of this prototype cooktop for the visually impaired. It includes braille on the surface and on the handles of the pots and pans.

Read more: How developers can use FirstBuild to design products for GE Appliances

Image: Teena Maddox/TechRepublic

Closeup of the cooktop for the visually impaired

This prototype provides grooves where each pot or pan rests on the cooktop. It's ideal for someone who is visually impaired.

Read more: How developers can use FirstBuild to design products for GE Appliances

Image: Teena Maddox/TechRepublic

New Monogram pizza oven

This new $9,900 pizza oven became available in January 2017 as part of the GE Appliances Monogram line.

Read more: How developers can use FirstBuild to design products for GE Appliances

Image: Teena Maddox/TechRepublic

Washer and dryer with voice added

A visually impaired person can add a simple control to a traditional washer and dryer to have each setting read out loud as they turn the dial. (This is still a prototype and not in production.)

Read more: How developers can use FirstBuild to design products for GE Appliances

Image: Teena Maddox/TechRepublic

Opal nugget ice maker

This Opal nugget ice maker has been a huge success for FirstBuild, with over $2.7 million raised in a crowdfunding campaign and more than 7,000 units sold.

Read more: How developers can use FirstBuild to design products for GE Appliances

Image: Teena Maddox/TechRepublic

Wine inventory cabinet

Keep track of your wine inventory via a mobile app with this prototype of a wine cabinet.

Read more: How developers can use FirstBuild to design products for GE Appliances

Image: Teena Maddox/TechRepublic

Paragon cooking mat

The Paragon induction cooking system has been a popular FirstBuild item, and this cooking mat is another product in the lineup.

Read more: How developers can use FirstBuild to design products for GE Appliances

Image: Teena Maddox/TechRepublic

Motion activated vent hood

This vent hood can be turned on or off with motion, such as by waving a hand in front of a sensor.

Read more: How developers can use FirstBuild to design products for GE Appliances

Image: Teena Maddox/TechRepublic

Interior of FirstBuild

A shipping storage container is used as office space inside FirstBuild's lab.

Read more: How developers can use FirstBuild to design products for GE Appliances

Image: Teena Maddox/TechRepublic

FirstBuild's laboratory

The lab is stocked with power tools, hand tools, 3D printers, laser cutters, board fabrication equipment, a circuit board mill, a pick and place machine, a solder reflow oven, as well as a wiring station with extra wire and oscilloscopes.

Read more: How developers can use FirstBuild to design products for GE Appliances

Image: Teena Maddox/TechRepublic

FirstBuild laboratory

Anyone who has an idea can take it to FirstBuild and use its lab, materials and equipment free of charge to design their idea if it's for an appliance.

Read more: How developers can use FirstBuild to design products for GE Appliances

Image: Teena Maddox/TechRepublic

FirstBuild laboratory

There is an array of equipment available in the lab.

Read more: How developers can use FirstBuild to design products for GE Appliances

Image: Teena Maddox/TechRepublic

FirstBuild

Developers often sit in the front area of the FirstBuild facility to work on their laptops.

Read more: How developers can use FirstBuild to design products for GE Appliances

Image: Teena Maddox/TechRepublic

FirstBuild interior

Read more: How developers can use FirstBuild to design products for GE Appliances

Image: Teena Maddox/TechRepublic