Brinco's life-saving alert system can become a reality, with your support.  Here's the list of Perks.  Choose yours now, at the top of the page, and join our team! Thanks!

General Questions

What does Brinco do?

Using the power of international seismic networks, Brinco provides personalized early warning of earthquakes and tsunamis directly to your home, office, or school. Although no one can yet predict an earthquake, Brinco can provide five, ten, even 30 seconds or more notice of when one will hit your home or office. Seconds that can be lifesaving.

Tsunami warnings can arrive up to several hours in advance -- time for you and your family to reach high ground and safety.

Brinco gives audio warnings like “Mild earthquake expected in 22 seconds” or "Destructive violent shaking expected in 45 seconds that will last one minute".  Your Brinco will receive it’s own custom warning from Brinco's Data Center, specific for your location.

In addition, Brinco will give very good and reliable tsunami warnings. When the Brinco Data Center receives a warning from the NOAA Tsunami Warning Center it sends on that message customized to each individual Brinco. For example, “Tsunami of 2 meters expect in 5 hours” or “Strong shaking expected in 60 seconds, there is no danger of a tsunami.” Your Brinco will issue an update message each time the tsunami center distributes updates, and eventually will send a cancellation message.

Brinco is also a serious, personal-sized seismograph that is networked worldwide. Your Brinco helps you, as well as others, by sending local seismic data on to the international network. Brinco Data Centers calculate earthquake location and magnitude almost instantaneously. Then, the Brinco Data Center send messages to your and other Brincos in advance of destructive earthquake waves to give you the time to move to safety.

How do I know if I should buy a Brinco?

Take a look at the USGS earthquake hazard maps below. If you are in the red or orange zone, you and others near you will benefit from owning a Brinco. If you live on a coastline with a history of tsunamis, you’ll want a Brinco, too.  Less than $200 gives you the peace of mind that you have done everything currently available to give your family early warning of earthquakes and tsunamis.

What does Brinco mean?

Brinco is Spanish for “jump” -- and it gives you a jump on earthquakes and tsunamis.

What does Brinco look like?

Brinco is a small, round, flat, metallic cylinder, approximately 5” (12.7cm) across and 1.25” (3.2 cm) high. You place it somewhere stable where you can hear warnings, plug it in, and provide access to Wi-Fi.  Brinco will blink a colored light and speak a message to warn you of earthquakes and tsunamis.

What will you spend my money on?

We are using Indiegogo to help us test the market for Brinco, as well as raise capital. Over the two years we’ve been working on Brinco, we’ve already invested more than $100,000. We think Brinco’s a terrific invention, but interest from people like you will prove that there is enough public interest to make the project viable. We know we can build an amazing Brinco: we already have a working prototype. But, if no one will buy it, it’s not worth the effort. The $50,000 goal of this campaign will be used to develop the manufacturing process to produce Brinco: tooling and injection molding. If we can raise $100,000 or $200,000 instead, we will go to the next level of production. Those efficiencies of scale will help further reduce the sales price for future Brincos so that they can be even more accessible to everyone who needs them. If we raise $50,000 (or more), we will build Brincos and you will get yours in mid-2016. If we don’t raise $50,000, you will get your money back and we’ll assume that this is an idea ahead of its time and move on (reluctantly) to other projects.

Please note: Indiegogo will charge your credit card when you sign up for one of our Perks. If we don’t make our $50,000 goal, the reimbursement will be credited directly to your account.

I thought that earthquakes could not be predicted.

You're right. Earthquakes cannot be predicted. But, as you saw in our video, the destructive seismic waves generated by earthquakes travel at about 6 kilometers per second and our electronic warnings travel more than 10,000 times faster at close to the speed of light! So, when the Brinco Data Center detects any felt earthquake anywhere in the worldwide network, we will send a warning to all Brincos that will feel the shaking in the very near future. This is not earthquake prediction, it is early detection and rapid response.

What if I am not at home when alert comes?

Don't worry, we have you covered with the Brinco smartphone app. First, you use the app to assign your WiFi password to your Brinco so it has access to the alert network. After that, you will be able to configure what messages you want with what frequency. The smartphone app will allow you to customize your Brinco and to get alerts when you are out of range of Brinco’s lights and voice.

The app also saves your Brinco’s data. With it, you will be able to see the seismic signals for your Brinco’s location for the last 24 hours. The app also will deliver you maps that show where it shook and how hard it shook.

How far along are you on this project?

We are now putting the finishing touches on our THIRD version of Brinco. Right now, 20 people are working non-stop on Brinco. See below for some of their profiles. Brinco version 2 arrived in May 2015 and we are putting it through its paces now as we make plans for Brinco version 3 -- the one you will help us manufacture. This is the result of two long, wonderful years of work. We have created the data transport protocols and the basics of the Brinco Data Servers. We have automated the alarm transports and protocols. What we need now is to step up to production quantities. That is where you come in.

Tech scares me. Should I buy Brinco?

Yes! Brinco is incredibly simple to use and requires no technical knowledge. All you need is a stable surface, electricity, WiFi, and a smartphone to give the Brinco your WiFi password. After that, it is all on autopilot. However, if you are a geek (like us) we will offer all the advanced tools that you need to configure every aspect of your Brinco. We are also thinking about how to Open Source parts of the project so that the community can help us add more early warning features even faster. Email brinco@osop.com.pa for information on our open sourced Brinco software projects.

Can I get a second Brinco for my office?

You sure can! You can get as many Brincos as you want. See the Perks list to order additional Brincos. The more Brincos you install, the more complete the network and the better the alerts.

Where and how do I install my Brinco?

Brinco will be best installed on the floor or on a counter near an electrical outlet, and where you can hear its warning. Use a gob of moldable glue like Sugru or Silly Putty to keep Brinco in place and keep it from sliding. Your Brinco can also be bolted down for the best possible stability. We’ll send you installation instructions and a short install video with your Brinco.

How much of an early alert will I get?

Great question, and like most great questions there is no easy answer. For a large tsunami, you might get many hours of warning. For a large earthquake 20 kms away you might get enough warning to duck and cover under your desk or even run out the building into an open field. For a large local earthquake under your feet, you might not get any warning, but your Brinco’s data will help alert others throughout the network. The denser the network, the faster the warning.

Is there already a network?

Yes! We leverage existing international seismic networks such as the Global Seismograph Network and others available through GEOFON and IRIS. There are THOUSANDS of seismic stations available in these networks. The beauty of Brinco is that it adds to all this available data and translates it into early warning alerts that you, your family, and friends can hear and see.

Can I buy one for my local school?

Yes, by all means. Brinco is perfect for schools -- as both a safety beacon and a teaching device. If we reach this $50,000 funding goal, we will develop a classroom pack for use with different age groups. Have a background in education? We welcome your help with this part of the project.

We also have a BOGO perk -- a Buy-One-Give-One offer -- where you can buy one for yourself and we will give one to a school in a county or country that is at high risk for earthquake or tsunami damage. We can also send you your BOGO Brinco, so you can donate it to the location of your choice.

What language will my Brinco speak?

Brinco will speak English and Spanish right out of the box. We are working on other languages.

I don’t want a Brinco but want to support the idea and stay in touch. What can I do?

Thanks so much! Use the box at the top of the Perks list to make a donation of any size. Your contribution will help us meet our goal and put you on our “I want to stay in touch” list. You can also help by getting the word out. Your good words to your friends and colleagues is the best publicity we can have. Just send the campaign URL (http://igg.me/at/brinco/x/10858520) to your friends and family or anyone you think might be interested -- or should be. Keep in mind that people who live in earthquake areas like the west coast of the Americas, and the entire Pacific Rim are especially at risk from earthquake damage and tsunamis.

What do your lawyers have to say?

Ahh, yes, the lawyers and the fine print. Well, they say that we have to say that Brinco is for educational uses only. Brinco works a bit like a smoke detector in your home. We cannot be responsible for alerts that were not delivered because of a failed network or because your Brinco volume was turned down. But all the lawyering aside, we and the many peers who have been following this project believe that Brinco is sound and will give reliable early warnings of earthquakes and tsunamis.

Are there competitors out there?

Yes, there are several companies that sell earthquake early warning devices of great complexity and price. A quick search on Google will turn them up. In our opinion, they all fall short because they use single-point, non-networked data. Brinco’s power comes from its access to the worldwide network of seismic data. It also delivers alerts by light, voice, and smartphone. We sincerely believe that our solution is novel, life-saving, and -- with your help -- affordable.

When will you ship?

Our plan is to ship in June of 2016. Big projects and new products generally take two years to bring to the market. We’ve already invested two years in developing the software and working prototype. That’s why (with your help) we’ll be able to ship so soon.

As a company with 13 years experience, we know what it takes to make something and get it ready for distribution. If we can get it out the door sooner, believe us, we will.

Is there a monthly fee?

No, none of Brinco’s initial backers will ever be billed recurring fees, not even for the mobile app. As we build the Brinco network, we will add more computing power in the Brinco Data Center. The price of each new Brinco includes a contribution toward the data network.

Can I sell or give away my Brinco?

Of course. Just let us know. We will provide the new owner with information on how to reset Brinco for its new location.. It is basically the same as if you had moved to a new house in a new city. We hope to see Brincos trading on Ebay and Amazon in no time! That will be a good measure of our success.

How much of my WiFi bandwidth does Brinco use?

Less than streaming very low quality audio. To put it in perspective, if your bandwidth was a meter wide, then Brinco’s data would use about 2 mm. In the imperial system, if your bandwith was a yard wide, then Brinco would use about 1/16th of an inch.

Will I be able to detect oil company fracking with my Brinco?

Yes, if your Brinco is close to fracking, it will detect the little earthquakes generated. 

I think Brinco is a great idea but I just don’t have any money, how can I help?

Believe us, we know about not having enough $$$! You can really help in a big way by spreading the news of Brinco and our Indiegogo campaign on your social network. Like our Facebook page! Send an email to all of you contacts. Activate your secret bot network to send out a gazillion messages pointing them to our Indiegogo campaign: http://igg.me/at/brinco/x/10858520. Seriously, just help spread the news about this campaign; that will be a big help.

Will Brinco detect if someone is making love in the house?

Well, it depends on where on the Richter scale the lovemaking is happening. If it was like a freight train going by, then probably yes. In reality, the automatic algorithms used ignore most non-seismic noises.

Will big brother have access to the Brinco data?

No, not if we can help it. If we suspected that it was even a remote possibility we would move the Brinco Data Center offshore. It might be offshore anyway.

What else is Brinco good for?

Great question, glad you asked. Brinco can make a nice night light or a real cool light show. And it will be a engaging topic of conversation for your next party!

Purchasing Questions

How do I know my purchase went through?

Indiegogo will send you a confirmation email within the first 24-48 hours after your purchase.

I haven't gotten my confirmation email yet. Should I be worried?

If it's been longer than 48 hours, something might be wrong. Not to worry, just email us at brinco@osop.com.pa and we'll help get everything straightened out.

Do you have a warranty?

Yes, we have a 12-month warranty that covers any manufacturing defects. If you ever have a problem with any part of your Brinco system just contact us and we'll do our best to make it right.

Can I return my Brinco?

Unfortunately, no. All of our sales here on Indiegogo are final. But, if you are having a problem or are unhappy with your Brinco you can always contact us and we will try to work something out.

I want to become a distributor. Who should I contact?

Please reach out to our team at brinco@osop.com.pa.

Technical Questions

What qualifies you to make seismographs?

Brinco principles Branden Christensen and Angel Rodriguez have been making, selling, and installing seismographs for YEARSSSSSS, most recently through Brinco's parent company OSOP. Most of what we do is for scientific and earthquake studies. These instruments cost thousands of dollars. (Check out our flagship seismometer, the "Sixaola" at www.osop.com.pa/sixaola) Our partners wrote the software, "SeisComP", that powers 90% of seismic observatories worldwide including GFZ in Germany and ETH in Switzerland. This software costs thousands of dollars and is used in most of the seismic observatories of the world, especially the Americas. We also sell software for tsunami modeling and alerting. Seismology is what we do and what we love. Brinco brings seismographs to a price that is affordable for many homes and most offices. Individual families now have the chance to get alerts that earthquakes and tsunamis are on the way -- and in time to get to a safer place.