Travis L.
Independent Hardware Product Innovation Advisor | Product Definition, Development Leadership & China
Auckland,
New Zealand
Global rank:
5,468
/
142,224
Skill pts: 10
About
I help founders and product teams turn complex hardware opportunities into validated, manufacturable products.
I bring 20+ years of experience across Lenovo, Foxconn and venture-led product businesses. My work connects product strategy, system architecture, industrial design, UX, engineering coordination and manufacturing execution.
As an independent advisor, I represent the product team's interests rather than a single factory. I lead the decision work that should happen before expensive engineering commitments: product definition, feasibility, key risk identification, development roadmap, DFM direction, supplier strategy and China execution.
Best fit: connected consumer hardware, smart home and energy products, interactive devices and non-medical wearables. I work with teams that have a concept, prototype or early product but need an experienced, cross-functional leader to align design, engineering, suppliers and production readiness.
Selected experience includes consumer computing, display and interactive products, smart mobility, cross-border brand building and China-based development/manufacturing coordination. I hold multiple product and structural patents and have received international design recognition including iF, Red Dot and G-Mark awards.
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I bring 20+ years of experience across Lenovo, Foxconn and venture-led product businesses. My work connects product strategy, system architecture, industrial design, UX, engineering coordination and manufacturing execution.
As an independent advisor, I represent the product team's interests rather than a single factory. I lead the decision work that should happen before expensive engineering commitments: product definition, feasibility, key risk identification, development roadmap, DFM direction, supplier strategy and China execution.
Best fit: connected consumer hardware, smart home and energy products, interactive devices and non-medical wearables. I work with teams that have a concept, prototype or early product but need an experienced, cross-functional leader to align design, engineering, suppliers and production readiness.
Selected experience includes consumer computing, display and interactive products, smart mobility, cross-border brand building and China-based development/manufacturing coordination. I hold multiple product and structural patents and have received international design recognition including iF, Red Dot and G-Mark awards.
Portfolio
Experience
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Independent Hardware Product Innovation Advisor
Independent Practice · Self-employed
May 2025 –
Present
1 yrs 3 mos
New Zealand
Independent advisor to founders and product leaders developing connected consumer hardware. I lead product definition, feasibility, cross-functional development planning and China execution from concept or prototype through EVT/DVT, DFM, supplier strategy and production readiness.
Current service: Product Definition & Feasibility Sprint — a focused decision phase covering product scope, architecture direction, key risks, validation priorities, development roadmap and resource strategy before major engineering investment. - Chief Product Officer & Co-Founder CYCTRON · Self-employed Jan 2022 – Apr 2025 3 yrs 3 mos Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Co-founded a smart mobility venture and served as CPO, building an integrated intelligent-riding experience and scalable product architecture. Led user research, product strategy and brand positioning; owned industrial design, UX/UI, CMF and product architecture; coordinated design, engineering, supply chain and marketing. Developed a smart handlebar-system concept integrating camera, health monitoring, social, anti-theft, power and lighting functions. Built reusable IP and technology assets.
- Senior Design Manager & Design Director, 17TV Lenovo Group · Full-time Jan 2014 – Jan 2016 2 yrs China Senior Design Manager at Lenovo Group and Design Director for 17TV. Reframed the TV experience system and used design systems to drive product differentiation. Developed a one-button air-mouse remote interaction concept and a two-point support architecture for stability and form-factor innovation. Created a home-style TV aesthetic integrating hardware and software, and advanced engineering innovations including screwless structures, concealed heat dissipation and two-shot molding to reduce supply-chain and service cost. Received the Lenovo Group President's Innovation Award.
- Senior Product Designer Lenovo Group · Full-time Jan 2010 – Jan 2012 2 yrs China Led design-language and product-architecture innovation for Lenovo consumer desktops. Led the C2 all-in-one PC design, with more than 2 million units sold, supporting Lenovo's rise to the No. 1 position in the category. Contributed to the early architecture direction for the YOGA multi-form-factor computing category and received a departmental contribution award.
Education
- Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts Bachelor of Arts, Product Design 2000 – 2004
Stats
0 followers, 0 following
Joined: August 10, 2026
Last seen: August 12, 2026
Area of Expertise
Languages
English Limited working proficiency
Location
Auckland, New Zealand